Graphite-Based Devices Incorporating A Graphene Layer With A Bending Angle

ABSTRACT

A graphite-based device comprising a substrate having a plurality of zones and a plurality of graphene stacks thereon is provided. A first graphene stack in the plurality of graphene stacks is formed in a first zone in the plurality of zones and comprises a non-planar graphene layer having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion collectively define a first bending angle. A is feature formed in the first zone. The feature comprises a first surface facing in a first direction and an adjacent second surface facing in a second direction. The first direction is other than the second direction. The first portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the first surface of the feature. The second portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the second surface of the feature.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.61/790,440, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to non-planar graphite-basedstructures and devices and methods for fabricating such structures anddevices.

2. BACKGROUND

Graphite-based structures or devices, e.g. graphene quantum dots,graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), graphene nanonetworks, graphene plasmonicsand graphene super-lattices, exhibit many exceptional chemical,mechanical, electronic and optical properties, and are very desirablefor use in electronic devices, composite materials, and energygeneration and storage. Such graphite-based structures in generalcomprise a graphene layer, typically nanometers thick and having acharacteristic dimension also in the nanometers range. For example, inorder to obtain adequate band gaps for operation at room temperature,GNRs typically have a width within a few nanometers due to the inverserelationship between the band gap and the width of the GNRs. Thespecific geometrical requirements impose challenges on the developmentof fabrication methods that can produce graphite-based structures withcontrollable and reliable topography to achieve desired functionalities.

Another challenge in the development of fabrication methods is relatedto packing density. The ability to pack structures and devices onto asurface with high packing density is an important issue. Because packingdensity or workable surface area determines functionalities of devicessuch as efficiency of solar cells or detectors, extensive work has beendedicated to isolation of graphene layers and attempted to reduce oreliminate workable surface area loss. However, current techniques usehorizontal isolation, resulting in workable surface area loss and thus adissatisfactory yield.

Current methods for fabricating such graphite-based structures arecomplicated, expensive, inefficient and highly inconsistent, and aremainly limited to laboratories. These methods can be broadly classifiedas epitaxial growth, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth, colloidalsuspension, unconventional methods and exfoliation (See, e.g., Jayasenand Subbiah, 2011, Nanoscale Research Letter, 6:95; Parrish, “GrapheneGrowth Techniques for Use in Nanoelectronics”).

Current fabrication methods generally involve patterning graphene, aftergraphene generation, into desired shapes and sizes. Patterning graphene,however, is very difficult because maintaining selectivity when etchingcarbon based materials is difficult in relation to other materials. Itis in particular a notoriously difficult process in the nanoscaledimensions. As a result, current methods have several drawbacks. Forexample, the required etching for patterning graphene sheets intodesired shapes often produce graphite-based structures withunpredictable geometries and erratic edge structures, yieldingunsatisfactory functionalities of the graphite-based devices. Also,current methods generally use horizontal isolation, resulting in lessusable surface area, lower packing density and accordingly lowerefficiency of the graphite-based devices.

Given the above background, there is a need in the art for fabricationmethods that can produce controllable, reliable and precisegraphite-based structures without patterning the graphene layers, and insome cases, with multiple or enhanced functionalities.

3. SUMMARY

The present disclosure advantageously provides for a wide variety ofgraphene or graphite-based devices in various configurations. Generally,graphene or graphite-based devices of the present disclosure comprise agraphene stack with at least one non-planar graphene layer that ischaracterized by a bending angle, a curvature, a characteristicdimension, a graphene orientation, a graphene type, or any combinationof these or other characteristics. Graphene or graphite-based devices ofthe present disclosure can be used in many applications. Examplesinclude self-centering devices such as conic devices that can interactwith photons in resonance or variable wavelength ranges, solar cellsthat can track solar photons, reflection or concentration devices thatcan redirect or concentrate photons to a target region, and antennaarrays that can absorb or emit photons in specific wavelength ranges.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a graphite-based devicewith a non-planar graphene layer overlaying adjacent surfaces that arenot on a common plane. In some embodiments, the adjacent surfaces are ona feature that has been patterned on the substrate in a selected zone.In some embodiments, the non-planar graphene layer includes a firstportion that overlays a first surface on the feature and a secondportion that overlays a second surface on the feature. The first surfaceand the second surface are adjacent to each other but not on a commonplane, resulting in a first bending angle formed between the first andsecond portions of the non-planar graphene layer. In some embodiments,the non-planar graphene layer further includes a third portion thatoverlays a third surface on the feature, forming a second bending anglebetween the first and the third portions of the non-planar graphenelayer and/or a third bending angle between the second and third portionsof the non-planar graphene layer. In some embodiments, bending producesa stress point or a stress intersection between two portions of thenon-planar graphene layer.

In some embodiments, the feature that has been patterned in the selectedzone includes an element, and the first surface is the top surface ofthe element and the second surface is a side wall of the element. Insome embodiments, both the first surface and the second surface are sidewalls of the element. In some embodiments, the non-planar graphene layercovers all side walls of the element. In some embodiments, the elementhas a rib-like, pillar-like, or pyramid-like shape.

In some embodiments, the feature that has been patterned in the selectedzone includes a recess such as a trench, a hole or a cavity. In someembodiments, both the first surface and the second surface are sidewalls of the recess. In some embodiments, the first surface is thebottom surface of the recess and the second surface is a side wall ofthe element.

In some embodiments, the feature that has been patterned in the selectedzone includes both an element and a recess such as a trench. In someembodiments, the first surface is on the element and the second surfaceis on the trench. In some embodiments, the non-planar graphene layerfills the trench and is squeezed, forming a compression point orintersection.

In some embodiments, the bending angle is an acute bending angle, asubstantially right bending angle, an obtuse bending angle, or a reflexbending angle. In some embodiments, the bending angle is between 0.5degrees and 10 degrees, between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 45degrees and 180 degrees, or between 180 degrees and 230 degrees. In someembodiments, the bending angle does not exceed 180 degrees. In someembodiments, the bending angle is over 180 degrees, about 270 degrees,or over 270 degrees.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides the graphite-baseddevices with a non-planar graphene layer overlaying a curved surface. Insome embodiments, the curved surface is on a feature that has beenpatterned on the substrate in a selected zone. In some embodiments, thefeature is an element or a recess with a dome or conic shape, and thenon-planar graphene layer overlays the circumferential surface of theelement or the recess. In some embodiments, the feature with a conicshape has a semi-vertex angle that is between 5 degrees and 10 degrees,between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, between 20 degrees and 30 degrees,between 30 degrees and 50 degrees, or over 50 degrees.

In some embodiments, the feature is asymmetric or has an irregularshape. In some embodiments, the curved surface has a concave shape,resulting in the non-planar graphene layer with a negative curvature. Insome embodiments, the curved surface has a convex shape, resulting inthe non-planar graphene layer with a positive curvature. In someembodiments, the feature includes a curved surface and an adjacentsurface that is not on a common with the curved surface, resulting inthe non-planar graphene layer with both a bent portion and a curvedportion.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides graphite-baseddevices with large workable surface areas and high packing densities. Insome embodiments, the feature such as an element or a recess has beenundercut or curved, and the non-planar graphene layer has a portionoverlaying a side wall of the feature, providing the devices withadditional workable surface areas. In some embodiments, the feature thathas been patterned in the selected zone includes both an element and atrench, and the non-planar graphene layer overlays the top surface andside walls of the element and the bottom surface of the trench,providing the devices with additional workable surface areas. In someembodiments, the graphene or graphite-based devices of the presentdisclosure have workable surface areas that surpass the underlyingphysical surface areas, and consequently enhanced functionalities.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides graphite-baseddevices comprising one or more graphene stack with multiplefunctionalities. These graphene stacks can have any of a variety ofshapes such as a smooth shape, a stepwise shape, a concave shape, or aconvex shape. In some embodiments, these graphene stacks have a shapelike a ribbon, a pillar, a dot, a cup, a cone, or a dome. In someembodiments, these graphene stacks comprise a plurality of graphenelayers that collectively defines a graphene profile. In someembodiments, a graphene stack comprises a plurality of graphene layerswith different characteristic dimensions along one lateral direction butwith substantially a same characteristic dimension along another lateraldirection. In some embodiments, the outermost graphene layer covers orencapsulates the inner graphene layers, and thus serves as a protectionto the inner graphene layers. In some embodiments, a graphene layer hasa portion overhanging, butting or joining another adjacent graphenelayer, and is separated from the adjacent graphene layer by boundaryconditions at a butting or joining intersection.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a graphite-baseddevice, comprising a substrate comprising a plurality of zones and aplurality of graphene stacks. A first graphene stack in the plurality ofgraphene stacks is formed in a first zone in the plurality of zones andcomprises a first non-planar graphene layer that is characterized by afirst bending angle or a first curvature. A second graphene stack in theplurality of graphene stacks is formed in a second zone in the pluralityof zones and comprises a second non-planar graphene layer that ischaracterized by a second bending angle or a second curvature. In someembodiments, the first bending angle or the first curvature is the sameor different than the second bending angle or the second curvature.

In some embodiments, the first graphene stack has a first characteristicdimension and the second graphene stack has a second characteristicdimension, where the first characteristic dimension is different thanthe second characteristic dimension.

In some embodiments, the first graphene stack has a first grapheneorientation and the second graphene stack has a second grapheneorientation, where the first graphene orientation is different than thesecond graphene orientation.

In some embodiments, the first graphene stack is made of a firstgraphene type and the second graphene stack is made of a second graphenetype, where the first graphene type is different than the secondgraphene type.

In some embodiments, the plurality of graphene stacks comprises a thirdgraphene stack formed in a third zone in the plurality of zones and thethird graphene stack comprises a third non-planar graphene layer that ischaracterized by a third bending angle or a third curvature. In someembodiments, at least two of the first, second, and third graphenestacks are substantially the same. In some embodiments, at least two ofthe group consisting of the first non-planar graphene layer, the secondnon-planar graphene layer, and the third non-planar graphene layerdiffer from each other in at least one of a characteristic dimension, agraphene orientation or a graphene type.

In some embodiments, the plurality of graphene stacks comprises a thirdgraphene stack formed in the first zone in the plurality of zones andthis third graphene stack comprises a third non-planar graphene layerthat is characterized by a third bending angle or a third curvature. Insome embodiments, the first bending angle or the first curvature isdifferent than the third bending angle or the third curvature. In someembodiments, the first and the third graphene stacks form anintersection and are functionally separated by a boundary condition atthe intersection. In some embodiments, the third graphene stack issubstantially the same as the first graphene stack and is separated fromthe first graphene stack in the first zone.

In some embodiments, at least one graphene stack from the plurality ofgraphene stacks is formed in each zone in the plurality of zones. Insome embodiments, a graphene stack formed in one zone is substantiallythe same as a graphene stack formed in another zone in the plurality ofzones. In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a feature in thefirst zone, where the feature has a non-planar surface and the firstnon-planar graphene layer of the first graphene stack overlays thenon-planar surface of the feature. In some embodiments, the featurecomprises an element, a recess, or combination thereof. In someembodiments, the non-planar surface is a circumferential surface of thefeature. In some embodiments, the non-planar surface is concave, convexor a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the feature formed in thefirst zone comprises a hole, a dot, a pillar, a cone, a truncated coneor a dome. In some embodiments, a first curvature of the non-planarsurface has a negative value.

In some embodiments, the first graphene stack further comprises a secondgraphene layer and the second graphene layer has a differentcharacteristic dimension than the first graphene layer, therebyproviding the first graphene stack with a plurality of bandgaps.

In some embodiments, the first graphene stack comprises a secondgraphene layer, where the first non-planar graphene layer and the secondgraphene layer have the same or different thickness.

In some embodiments, a graphene layer in the first graphene stackconsists of 1 graphene sheet, between 2 and 100 graphene sheets, or over100 graphene sheets. In some embodiments, the substrate is anunpatterned or a patterned substrate. In some embodiments, the substratecomprises a semiconducting material, glass, sapphire, an aluminum oxide,a metallic slug, silicon, a silicon carbide, germanium, a boron nitride,a gallium arsenide or molybdenum sulfide. In some embodiments, thesubstrate comprises a plurality of layers, each respective layer in theplurality of layers made of a corresponding material.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a graphite-based device,comprising a substrate having a plurality of zones as well as aplurality of graphene stacks thereon. A first graphene stack in theplurality of graphene stacks is formed in a first zone in the pluralityof zones and comprises a non-planar graphene layer having a firstportion and a second portion, where the first portion and the secondportion collectively define a first bending angle. A feature is formedin the first zone. The feature comprises a first surface facing in afirst direction and an adjacent second surface facing in a seconddirection. The first direction is other than the second direction. Thefirst portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the firstsurface of the feature. The second portion of the non-planar graphenelayer overlays the second surface of the feature.

In some embodiments, the first portion overlays a portion of the firstsurface of the feature, or the second portion overlays a portion of thesecond surface. In some embodiments, the first portion overlays theentire first surface, or the second portion overlays the entire secondsurface. In some embodiments, the first surface is either planar ornon-planar, and the second surface is either planar or non-planar.

In some embodiments, the feature comprises an element, a recess or acombination thereof having one or more side walls. In some embodiments,a side wall in the one or more side walls comprises a first dimensionthat is between 3 nm and 10 μm, and a second dimension, orthogonal tothe first dimension, that is between 2 nm and 100 nm. In someembodiments, the feature comprises a recess having one or more sidewalls, and a side wall in the one or more side walls has a height thatis between 0.1 nm and 3 nm and a width that is between 2 nm and 100 nm.

In some embodiments, the feature comprises a hole, a trench, a pillar, apyramid, or a rib.

In some embodiments, the first bending angle is an acute angle,substantially a right angle, an obtuse angle, or a reflex angle.

In some embodiments, the first surface is a top surface of the feature,the adjacent second surface is a side wall of the feature, the firstportion overlays the top surface, the second portion overlays the sidewall, the first bending angle is over 180 degrees, and a first stressintersection is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

In some embodiments, the side wall is substantially perpendicular to thetop surface, producing the first graphene layer with the first bendingangle that is about 270 degrees.

In some embodiments, the side wall is undercut, producing the firstgraphene layer with the first bending angle that is over 270 degrees.

In some embodiments, the first surface is a first side wall of thefeature, the second surface is a second side wall of the feature, thefirst portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the first sidewall, and the second portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlaysthe second side wall.

In some embodiments, the first surface is a bottom surface of thefeature, the second surface is a side wall of the feature, the firstportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the bottom surface,the second portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the sidewall, the first bending angle is less than 180 degrees, and a firstcompression intersection is formed between the first portion and thesecond portion of the non-planar graphene layer.

In some embodiments, the feature further comprises a third surface thatis adjacent to the first surface, and the first and third surfaces arenot on a common plane, the non-planar graphene layer has a third portionoverlaying the third surface, and the first portion and the thirdportion form a second bending angle. In some embodiments, the thirdsurface is either planar or non-planar. In some embodiments, the thirdportion overlays a portion of the third surface. In some embodiments,the third portion overlays the entire third surface. In someembodiments, the second bending angle is an acute angle, substantially aright angle, an obtuse angle, or a reflex angle. In some embodiments,the first surface is a top surface of the feature, the second surface isa first side wall of the feature, the third surface is a second sidewall of the feature, the first portion of the non-planar graphene layeroverlays the top surface, the second portion of the non-planar graphenelayer overlays the first side wall, and the third portion of thenon-planar graphene layer overlays the second side wall.

In some embodiments, one of the second or third portions of the firstnon-planar graphene layer is in electric communication with a lead. Insome embodiments, one of the second or third portions of the firstnon-planar graphene layer is in electric communication with a lead andthe other is electrically insulated. In some embodiments, the firstsurface is a first side wall of the feature, the second surface is a topsurface of the feature, the third surface is a second side wall of thefeature that is not on a common plane with the first side wall of thefeature, the first portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays thefirst side wall, the second portion of the non-planar graphene layeroverlays the top surface, and the third portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the second side wall. In some embodiments, thesecond side wall is undercut. In some embodiments, the first surface isa first side wall of the feature, the second surface is a second sidewall of the feature, the third surface is a third side wall of thefeature, the first portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays thefirst side wall, the second portion of the non-planar graphene layeroverlays the second side wall, and the third portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the third side wall.

In some embodiments, the first surface is a bottom surface of thefeature, the second surface is a first side wall of the feature, thethird surface is a second side wall of the feature, the first portion ofthe non-planar graphene layer overlays the bottom surface, the secondportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the first side wall,and the third portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays thesecond side wall.

In some embodiments, the first surface is a side wall of the feature,the second surface is a bottom surface of the feature, the third surfaceis a top surface of the feature, the first portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the side wall, the second portion of thenon-planar graphene layer overlays the bottom surface, and the thirdportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the top surface, andthe first non-planar graphene layer is bent and notched in the feature.

In some embodiments, the non-planar graphene layer further comprises acurved portion that comprises (i) a concave shape with a negativecurvature or (ii) a convex shape with a positive curvature.

In some embodiments, the first bending angle is between 0.5 degrees and230 degrees.

In some embodiments, the first graphene stack in the first zonecomprises one or more additional graphene layers overlaying thenon-planar graphene layer, wherein said one or more additional graphenelayers are either planar or non-planar.

Various other aspects of the present disclosure provide exemplarymethods for fabricating graphite-based structures or devices. In someembodiments, exemplary methods include doping the substrate with carbonto produce one or more doped zones in the substrate and thenconcurrently generating one or more graphene stacks in the one or moredoped zones. In some embodiments, exemplary methods include creating oneor more non-planar graphene foundation layers in one or more selectedzones and then concurrently generating one or more graphene stacks byusing the one or more non-planar graphene foundation layers in the oneor more selected zones. In some embodiments, exemplary methods includepatterning the substrate to form a feature with a non-planar surface orat least two adjacent surfaces that are not on a common plane, and thenconcurrently generating one or more graphene stacks with a non-planargraphene layer that overlays the non-planar surface of the feature oroverlays the two adjacent surfaces of the feature.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of thepresent application and, together with the detailed description, serveto explain the principles and implementations of the application.

FIGS. 1A-1E provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices with a non-planar graphene layer, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2F provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices with a curved graphene layer, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3F provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices with a curved graphene layer in variableconfigurations, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4D provide graphical representations of other exemplarygraphite-based devices with a curved graphene layer, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5E provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices with a bent graphene layer in variableconfigurations, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6D provide graphical representations of other exemplarygraphite-based devices with a bent graphene layer in variableconfigurations, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7F provide graphical representations of other exemplarygraphite-based devices with a bent graphene layer in variableconfigurations, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8F provide graphical representations of other exemplarygraphite-based devices with a bent graphene layer in variableconfigurations, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9C provide graphical representations of other exemplarygraphite-based devices with a bent graphene layer in variableconfigurations, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10C provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices with a graphene stack having a graphene profilein variable configurations, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11D provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices in variable configurations, in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 provides a flow chart of an exemplary method for fabricatinggraphite-based devices, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 provides a flow chart of another exemplary method forfabricating graphite-based devices, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 provides a flow chart of another exemplary method forfabricating graphite-based devices, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout thedrawings.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the context ofgraphite-based devices and methods for fabricating such graphite-baseddevices. The present disclosure provides for exemplary graphite-baseddevices in various configurations, each of which comprises any number ofgraphene layers with at least one non-planar graphene layer. In manyembodiments, a graphene layer is characterized by a bending angle, acurvature, a characteristic dimension, a graphene orientation, agraphene type, or any combination of these or other characteristics. Insome embodiments, a non-planar graphene layer overlays a non-planarsurface on a substrate, or a plurality of surfaces that do not reside ona common plane. In some embodiments, each layer in a plurality ofgraphene layers is stacked together and collectively form a grapheneprofile with different characteristic dimensions. In some embodiments,the outermost graphene layer covers or encapsulates the inner graphenelayers. The inner graphene layers can be either planar or non-planar. Insome embodiments, a graphene layer has a portion overhanging, abuttingor joining another adjacent graphene layer, and is separated from theadjacent graphene layer by boundary conditions at an abutting or joiningintersection.

This wide variety of configurations advantageously provides for theability to generate a wide array of devices. For example, in manyapplications, it is desirable to have devices with large or extraworkable surface areas to improve efficiency or other functionalities ofthe devices. Also, in many applications, it is desirable to have devicesin which one graphene layer performs one function while another graphenelayer performs another function. This is because the ability to providemultiple functions in the same device allows for more versatile andefficient devices (such as solar devices), integration of broadbanddevices (EUV through IR), increased efficiency by the design of elementsto capture maximum peak wavelength energy, generation of neighboringeffects of different functionality of graphene (single and multiplelayers), reduced resistivity by use of more sheets, band gap tuneability, work function definition, denser packing of device, shortermean free paths, better capture of photons, cascade devices (sometimescalled stair case devices) where photons or wavelengths are strippedfrom top to bottom, advantageous optical properties and electricalinteractions (e.g., sensing and response to specific wavelength at eachlevel).

Other examples of applications include self-centering devices such asconic devices that can interact with photons in resonance or variablewavelength ranges, solar cells that can track solar photons, reflectionor concentration devices that can redirect or concentrate photons to atarget region, and antenna arrays that can absorb or emit photons inspecific wavelength ranges.

In some embodiments, various methods are provided for fabricatinggraphite-based devices while achieving desired size, specifiedgeometries, and characterized electronic/photonic properties of thegraphite-based devices. An exemplary method includes doping a substrate(either patterned or non-patterned) with carbon to produce a pluralityof dopant profiles in a selected zone or zones and then generating anon-planar graphene layer in the selected zone or zones. Anotherexemplary method includes creating a non-planar graphene foundationlayer in a selected zone or zones and then generating a non-planargraphene layer in the selected zone or zones. In some embodiments, anon-planar graphene foundation layer can be created by oblique angledeposition, or by conformal deposition along with anisotropic etching.Another exemplary method includes patterning the substrate to form afeature with a non-planar surface or adjacent surfaces that are not in acommon plane and then generating a non-planar graphene layer on anon-planar surface or on the adjacent surfaces that are not in a commonplane. This diversity gives rise to the ability to design a wide varietyof graphite-based devices as disclosed herein. Moreover, this is allaccomplished without any requirement to post process graphene once thegraphene has been formed.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the followingdetailed description of the present application is illustrative only andis not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of thepresent application will readily suggest themselves to such skilledpersons having benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made indetail to implementations of the present application as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be usedthroughout the drawings and the following detailed description to referto the same or like parts.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

5.1. Definitions

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.are optionally used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another. For example, a first element couldbe termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could betermed a first element, without changing the meaning of the description,so long as all occurrences of the “first element” are renamedconsistently and all occurrences of the second element are renamedconsistently. The first element and the second element are bothelements, but they are not the same element.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. Asused in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination”or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it isdetermined (that a stated condition precedent is true)” or “if (a statedcondition precedent is true)” or “when (a stated condition precedent istrue)” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response todetermining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting”or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context.

As used herein, the term “sheet” refers to a substantiallytwo-dimensional or one-atom thick substance. For example, a “graphenesheet” refers to one-atom-thick substance with carbon atoms arranged ina hexagonal lattice (e.g., a single sheet composed of sp²-hybridizedcarbon). A “graphene sheet” also refers to a carbon-based sheet whichcomprises additional materials such as boron, oxides, dopants and/oredge atomic substitutes.

As used herein, the term “graphene layer” or “graphite layer” refers toa graphene sheet, or refers to several, several tens, several hundredsor several thousands of graphene sheets. The thickness of a graphenelayer can therefore range a nanometer to several micrometers, or toseveral tens of micrometers depending upon the number of graphene sheetsin the graphene layer. Final graphene layers produced by the processesdisclosed in this application can have a thickness in nanometers, andpreferably less than fifty nanometers. The terms “graphene layer” and“graphite layer” are interchangeable in the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “graphite-based structure,” “graphenestructure,” “graphene device,” “graphene device topography” refers to astructure having at least one graphene layer on at least one surface ofthe structures. Examples of such structures or devices include, but arenot limited to, graphene nanoribbons, graphene nanonetworks, graphenepoles/pillars, and graphene based nanohole superlattices. The terms“graphite-based structure,” “graphene structure,” “graphene device,”“graphene device topography” are interchangeable in the presentdisclosure.

As used herein, the term “element” refers to a feature configured orgenerated on a substrate. In general, at least a portion of the elementis on or above the substrate. The element can be of any shape, size, ororientation. Exemplary elements include ribs, ribbons, pillars, mesas,geometries that produce or promote plasmonic effects, or otherconfigurations. “Rib” or “ribbon” herein refers to a feature having awidth smaller than a length. In some embodiments, “rib” and “ribbon” areinterchangeable. “Pillar” herein refers to substantially circular,ovoid, regular or irregular features. “Mesa” herein refers to an islandisolated from other features on the substrate or a plateau on thesubstrate. In general, a mesa has at least one dimension that isrelatively large and thus can be used as a base for further processingof more complex structures. In some embodiments, a mesa has atopographical height feature, providing a capability for verticalisolation and/or size for desired functionality.

As used herein, the term “trench” refers to a space that separates twoadjacent elements. It can be a recess formed in the substrate such as byetching, a space on or above the substrate formed for example bydepositing two adjacent elements on or above the substrate, or acombination thereof. A trench can be of any shape or size as long as itseparates two adjacent elements. In some embodiments, it is deep and/orhas a width smaller than a characteristic length.

As used herein, the terms “left” or “right”, “top” or “bottom”,“horizontal” or “vertical”, “upper” or “lower”, “lateral” etc., are usedto describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to thepositions of such features as displayed in the figures. They are usedfor convenience in explanation, and do not limit features in suchpositions.

As used herein, the term “width” refers to a characteristic dimension,generally along a substantially horizontal direction, of a feature.Examples of such characteristic dimensions include a width of a rib or aribbon and a diameter of a circular pillar. For irregular or complexgeometries, the width may be defined by the square root of thehorizontal cross-sectional surface area of such geometries. It will beunderstood that a fair amount of process variation occurs in the widthof the features described herein. Thus, a rib may have a width thatdeviates within a certain process variation. In such instances, thewidth of such features is an average width or characteristic width,taking into account this process variation.

As used herein, the term “height” refers to a characteristic dimension,generally along a substantially vertical direction, of a feature.Examples of such characteristic dimensions include the height of anelement, which may be defined by the vertical distance between the topsurface of the element and the bottom surface of the correspondingtrench. It will be understood that a fair amount of process variationoccurs in the height of the features described herein. Thus, an elementmay have a height that deviates within a certain process variation. Insuch instances, the height of such features is an average height orcharacteristic height, taking into account this process variation.

As used herein, the term “average” refers to the arithmetic mean value,or some other measure of central tendency, of a characteristicdimension. In some embodiments, the top surface of an element or thebottom surface of a trench has a slope or an arcuate property. Forinstance, in a case of a circular pillar-like element having an arcuatetop surface, the average width is the circumferential mean diameter ofthe circular pillar-like element and the average height is thecircumferential mean height of the circular pillar-like element.

As used herein, the terms “dielectric” and “dielectric materials” refersto a materials that are poor conductors of electricity. As such, invarious embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, adielectric material is a material that has a dielectric constant of 50or less, 40 or less, 30 or less, 20 or less, or 10 or less.

As used herein, the term “foundation material” refers to any materialthat is suitable for growing graphene or promotes graphene growth. Insome embodiments, foundation materials are catalytic metals, e.g., Pt,Au, Fe, Rh, Ti, Ir, Ru, Ni, or Cu. In some embodiments, foundationmaterials are non-metallic materials, such as Si, SiC,non-stoichiometric SiC (e.g., boron doped or otherwise), and othercarbon enhanced materials. As used herein, the phrase “carbon enhanced”materials refers to any materials into which carbon has been added.

As used herein, the term “zone” refers to a portion of a substrate, andthe portion can be of any size or shape. One zone of a given substratecan have a shape or size substantially the same as another zone of thesame substrate or different than another zone of the same substrate. Insome embodiments, a zone is spatially separated from adjacent zones of agiven substrate. In some other embodiments, unless otherwise specified,a zone partially overlaps with one or more adjacent zones of the givensubstrate. In some embodiments, a zone includes one or more initialfeatures, such as elements or trenches that have been patterned in thesubstrate.

As used herein, the term “graphene profile” or the term “profile” usedin association with a graphene stack refers to an outermost shape orcontour of a given graphene stack. In some embodiments, in which thegiven graphene stack comprises a plurality of graphene layers and theoutermost graphene layer covers or encapsulates the inner graphenelayers, the profile or the graphene profile is represented or defined bythe contour of the outermost graphene layer. In some embodiments, inwhich the outermost graphene layer does not cover or encapsulate all theinner graphene layers, the profile or graphene profile is definedcollectively by the plurality of graphene layers that constitutes thegiven graphene stack. In some embodiments, the terms “graphene profile”and “cross-sectional graphene profile” are interchangeable.

As used herein, the term “dopant profile” or the term “profile” whenused in association with doping refers to the distribution of dopantswithin a selected zone in a given substrate. In some embodiments, thedistribution of dopants is expressed as a dopant concentration along aline, over a surface or in a region. In some embodiments, the dopantconcentration is a time-average or spatial-average concentration.

As used herein the term “non-planar graphene layer” refers to a graphenelayer that is not flat. In some embodiments, a non-planar graphene layerrefers to a bent graphene layer with a bending angle, a curved graphenelayer with a curvature, or a graphene layer with both bent and curvedportions.

5.2. Exemplary Substrates

As used herein, the term “substrate” refers to a solid substancegenerally in a form of a thin slice. The substrate can be planar orflexible, and can comprise dielectric, semiconducting or metallicmaterials, such as glass, Si, SiO2, SiC, Cu, Ni, or other materials. Itcan include one layer or multiple layers.

Exemplary dielectric materials include, but are not limited to, glass,silicon dioxide, neoceram, and sapphire.

Exemplary semiconducting materials include, but are not limited to,silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), germanium (Ge), boron nitride (BN),and molybdenum sulfide (MoS).

Exemplary metallic materials include, but are not limited to, copper(Cu), nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), cobalt (Co), ruthenium(Ru), palladium (Pd), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), cadmium(Cd), iridium (Ir), combinations thereof, and alloys thereof.

In some embodiments the substrate comprises a metal foil or a metalslug.

In some embodiments the substrate comprises Si, SiO₂, SiC, Cu, Ni, orother materials. In some embodiments, the substrate substantiallycomprises neoceram, borosilicate glass, germanium arsenide, a IV-Vsemiconductor material, a substantially metallic material, a hightemperature glass, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the substrate is made of glass. Any of a widevariety of glasses can be used to make the substrate, some of which aredescribed here. In some embodiments, the substrate is made of silicondioxide (SiO₂) glass. In some embodiments, the substrate is made of sodalime glass formed from silicon dioxide, soda (e.g., sodium carbonateNa₂CO₃), or potash, a potassium compound, and lime (calcium oxide, CaO).In some embodiments, the substrate is made of lead glass, such as leadcrystal or flint glass. In some embodiments, silicon dioxide glass dopedwith boron, barium, thorium oxide, lanthanum oxide, iron, or cerium(IV)oxide is used to make the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrateis made of aluminosilicate, borosilicate (e.g., PYREX®, DURAN®, SIMAX®),dichroic, germanium/semiconductor, glass ceramic, silicate/fused silica,soda lime, quartz, or chalcogenide/sulphide.

In some embodiments, the substrate is made of poly methyl methacrylate(PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), orcellulose acetate (CA). In some embodiments, the substrate is made of aurethane polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fluoropolymer,polybenzamidazole, polymide, polytetrafluoroethylene,polyetheretherketone, polyamide-imide, glass-based phenolic,polystyrene, cross-linked polystyrene, polyester, polycarbonate,polyethylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene,polytetrafluoro-ethylene, polymethacrylate, nylon 6,6, cellulose acetatebutyrate, cellulose acetate, rigid vinyl, plasticized vinyl, orpolypropylene.

In some embodiments, the substrate includes one layer. In alternativeembodiments, the substrate includes a plurality of layers. In someembodiments, a substrate comprises a plurality of layers, each with adifferent material. In some embodiments, a layer of another substance isapplied onto the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate hascrystallographic symmetry. In some embodiments the substrate iscrystalline (e.g., mono-crystalline or polycrystalline).

In some embodiments, a substrate comprises multiple layers, each with adifferent material. In some embodiments, a layer of another compositionis applied onto the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate hascrystallographic symmetry.

When referring to multiple layers, the term “substrate” is equivalent toand interchangeable with the term “substrate stack.”

5.3. Devices and Methods

FIGS. 1A-1E provide graphical representations of exemplarygraphite-based devices with non-planar graphene layers, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments,exemplary graphite-based devices include a substrate (e.g., 102)comprising a plurality of zones (e.g., 102-1, 102-2), with one or moregraphene stacks (e.g., 104-1, 104-2) formed in a selected zone or zones.In some embodiments, a substrate is a non-patterned substrate. In manyembodiments, the substrate 102 is a patterned substrate with initialfeatures such as elements, trenches, holes, and recesses. In suchembodiments, a selected zone can include one or more initial features,and a graphene stack can be formed either on a surface of the substrateor on the initial features. By way of illustration, FIG. 1A-1E depictthe patterned substrate 102 comprises an element (e.g., 108) and arecess of a truncated cone shape (e.g., 110); some graphene stacks(e.g., 104-1, 104-2) are formed on the element or the recess and some(e.g., 104-3, 104-4) are formed on a surface of the substrate. Moredescription of substrates in accordance with the present disclosure arefound in Section 5.2, above.

In some embodiments, only one selected zone in the plurality of zonescomprises one or more graphene stacks and other zones in the pluralityof zones do not comprise any graphene stacks. In some embodiments, morethan one zone comprises a graphene stack. In some embodiments, one ormore selected zones comprise more than one graphene stacks. In someembodiments, graphene stacks are formed in each zone in the plurality ofzones.

By way of illustration, FIGS. 1A-1C depict the graphene stack 104-1formed in the zone 102-1, the graphene stack 104-2 formed in the zone102-2, and two graphene stacks 104-3, 104-4 formed in the zone 102-3.Adjacent graphene stacks, either formed in one zone or in adjacentneighboring zones, can be spatially separated from each other orfunctionally separated from each other by boundary conditions. As anexample, FIGS. 1A-1E depict the graphene stacks 104-1, 104-2 that arespatially separated from each other and the graphene stacks 104-3, 104-4that form a physical contact but are functionally separated by boundaryconditions.

In various embodiments, a graphene stack comprises at least onenon-planar graphene layer that can be characterized by a bending angle,a curvature, a characteristic dimension, a graphene orientation, agraphene type, or any combination of these or other characteristics. Forinstance, in some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a graphenelayer with a first portion overlaying a first surface in a selected zoneand a second portion overlaying a second surface in the same selectedzone. The first and second surfaces are adjacent to each other but arenot on the same common plane, resulting in a non-planar graphene layerwith a bending angle formed between the first portion and the secondportion of the graphene layer. In some embodiments, the first portion ofthe graphene layer overlays a portion of the first surface or the secondportion of the first graphene layer overlays a portion of the secondsurface. In some embodiments, the first portion of the first graphenelayer overlays the entire first surface or the second portion of thefirst graphene layer overlays the entire second surface.

As an example, FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the graphene stack 104-1comprising a non-planar graphene layer 106-1, which is bent, with afirst portion formed on a top surface of the element 108 and a secondportion formed on a side wall of the element 108. The first and secondportions of the graphene layer 106-1 form a bending angle, indicated byal in FIG. 1B.

In some embodiments, the non-planar graphene layer 106-1 has acharacteristic dimension along a lateral direction, such as thecharacteristic dimension (e.g., width) D1 illustrated in FIG. 1C. Suchconfigurations have several advantages. For example, in some embodimentswhere the element 108 is tall, the portion of the graphene layer 106-1overlaying the side wall of the element 108 can be very long, resultingin a large workable or functional surface area for performing electronicor photonic functionalities. In many cases, workable or functionalsurface area surpasses the physical surface, thus enhancing thefunctionalities such as efficiency of solar devices. Meanwhile, thebandgap of the graphene layer 106-1 can be tuned by the control orvariation of the characteristic dimension (e.g., width) D1 along thelateral direction y.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a curved graphene layerwith a curvature. In general, the curvature in the present disclosurerefers to the normal curvature or the mean curvature of a given surfaceor a given graphene layer. In some embodiments, a curved graphene layeris formed as a result of overlaying on a curved surface in the selectedzone. The curved surface can be a surface of the substrate or a surfaceof a feature formed in the substrate. In some embodiments, the curvedsurface is a circumferential surface of an element, a pillar, a trench,a hole, a recess, a cavity or other features formed in the substrate. Insome embodiments, the curved surface is concave, convex, or acombination of a concave and convex shape.

For instance, FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D illustrate the graphene stack 104-2comprising a non-planar graphene layer 106-2 that overlays acircumferential surface of a truncated cone 110. The curvature of thegraphene layer 106-2 is indicated by r₁ in FIG. 1B, which in many cases,is substantially the same as the curvature of the circumferentialsurface of the truncated cone 110. In some embodiments, the graphenelayer 106-2 has a characteristic dimension that substantially equals thelength or height of the circumferential surface of the truncated cone110, as indicated by D2 in FIG. 1D. Such or similar configurations canbe used to design a variety of devices including self centering devices,tracking solar cells, reflection or concentration devices and antennaarrays.

In some embodiments, a non-planar graphene layer is characterized byother characteristics, such as the graphene orientation or the graphenetype. For instance, FIGS. 1A-1B depict that each of the graphene stacks104-3, 104-4 formed in the zone 102-3 comprises a plurality of graphenelayers. The bending angles or curvatures of graphene layers 106-3, 106-4are substantially the same, but the orientations of these two graphenelayers are different. A graphene layer can also differ from anothergraphene layer in types. Different types of graphene can be achieved,for instance, by using different foundation materials or by doping withdifferent dopants or different dopant concentrations. Different types ofgraphene can also be achieved, for instance, by using differentcrystalline nature of a foundation material. This applies to metals andSiC and some other foundation materials. When different graphene layers,for example, in different types or in different orientations, come intophysical contact, boundary conditions are generally formed at theintersection, which functionally separate the graphene layers from eachother. More description of boundary conditions and their formations canbe found in, for example, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/775,479,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack (e.g., 104-1) formed in one zone(e.g., 102-1) is substantially the same as a graphene stack (e.g.,104-4) formed in another zone (e.g., 102-4). That is, the graphene layer106-1 of the graphene stack 104-1 has substantially the samecharacteristics as the graphene layer 106-5 of the graphene stack 104-4.In some embodiments, a graphene layer differs from another graphenelayer in at least one of the aforementioned characteristics or othercharacteristics. Such different graphene layers can be present in thesame graphene stack. For instance, the graphene stack 104-4 comprises aplurality of graphene layers, in which the graphene layer 106-4 iscurved and the graphene layer 106-5 is flat. In addition, the graphenelayer 106-4 has a different characteristic dimension than the graphenelayer 106-5. Different graphene layers can also be present in differentstacks or in different zones. For instance, the graphene layer 106-1 ofthe graphene stack 104-1 formed in the zone 102-1 has at least adifferent bending angle, a different curvature, and a different grapheneorientation than the graphene layer 106-2 of the graphene stack 104-2formed in the zone 102-2.

Graphite-based devices of the present disclosure can have a wide varietyof configurations to achieve desired functionalities for variousapplications. In many embodiments, exemplary graphite-based devicescomprise non-planar graphene layers such as bent, curved, or acombination of bend and curved graphene layers. In some embodiments, abent graphene layer overlays two or more surfaces that do not reside ona common plane. In some embodiments, a curved graphene layer overlays ona non-planar surface in a selected zone. In some embodiments, graphenelayers are configured to provide additional functional surface areas toincrease efficiency or other functionalities. In some embodiments, aplurality of graphene layers are stacked together and collectively forma graphene profile with different characteristic dimensions, producingthe devices with multiple functionalities. In some embodiments, theoutermost graphene layer covers or encapsulates the inner graphenelayers, and thus serves as a protection to the inner graphene layers. Insome embodiments, a graphene layer has a portion overhanging, abuttingor joining another adjacent graphene layer, and is separated from theadjacent graphene layer by boundary conditions at a butting or joiningintersection.

As an example, FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate exemplary graphite-based devicescomprising curved graphene layers formed on a non-planar surface in afeature that has been patterned in the substrate. In some embodimentsthe feature is a trench, a hole, a recess or a cavity, which can be ofany suitable shape and size. In some embodiments, it is a right circulartruncated cone as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B and 1D. In someembodiments, it is oblique, elliptic, parabolic, or not truncated. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some embodiments, a graphene stack (e.g.,202) in a selected zone (e.g., 102-1) comprises a non-planar graphenelayer (e.g., 206) that overlays a circumferential surface (e.g., 204) ofa truncated oblique cone (e.g., 208). Because of the obliqueness, thecurvature of the circumferential surface (e.g., 204) of the truncatedoblique cone (e.g., 208) is not constant. Consequently, the curvature ofthe non-planar graphene layer (e.g., 206) varies at different locations,examples of which are indicated by r₁, r₂, r₃ in FIGS. 2A-2B. In someembodiments, the cone is not truncated, as illustrated in FIG. 2D. Insome embodiments, the cone is not circular. For example, FIG. 2E depictsa section view of a non-planar graphene layer 212 overlaying a parabolicsurface 214, and FIG. 2F depicts a top view of a graphene layer 216overlaying a circumferential surface of an elliptical cone.

In some embodiments, a non-planar graphene layer is formed on anon-planar surface of an element that has been patterned in a selectedzone. For instance, FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a graphene stack 302comprising a non-planar graphene layer 304 that overlays acircumferential surface of an element 306 in the zone 102-1. In theillustrated embodiment, the element 306 has a truncated circular coneshape. FIGS. 3D-3F illustrates another example, in which a graphenestack 308 comprises a non-planar graphene layer 310 that overlays theentire surface of an element 312 in the zone 102-1. In the illustratedembodiment, the element 312 has an elliptic dome shape, producing thenon-planar graphene layer 310 with varied curvature, indicated by r₂, r₃in FIGS. 3E-3F. Like the forgoing discussion, the elements (e.g., 306,312) can have various configurations, depending on the applications anddesired functionalities.

In some applications, asymmetric or irregular non-planar graphene layersare desired. For instance, in structural antenna applications,non-planar graphene layers with asymmetric focus structures are verydesirable. Examples of such configurations are graphically illustratedin FIGS. 4A-4D. In FIGS. 4A-4B, a graphene stack comprises two graphenelayers, one formed on a non-planar surface and the other formed on aflat surface. For instance, the graphene stack 404-1 comprises thenon-planar graphene layer 408-1 and the flat graphene layer 408-2. Thenon-planar graphene layer 408-1 is formed on an irregular surface 406-1of the element 402-1 and the flat graphene layer 408-2 is formed on aflat surface 408-2 of the element 402-2. Collectively, these twographene layers form an asymmetric graphene stack that can redirect orconcentrate photons into the substrate or other desired locations, asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 4B.

In some embodiments, the asymmetric or irregular non-planar graphenestacks or structures are formed in trenches, recesses, or cavities thathave been patterned in the substrate. For example, FIGS. 4C-4Dillustrate the asymmetric graphene stack 414-1 comprising the graphenelayers 416-1, 416-2 that are formed on side walls of the recess orcavity 412-1. The graphene layer 416-1 can be configured to have thesame characteristics as the graphene layer 406-1. Likewise, the graphenelayer 416-2 can be configured to have the same characteristics as thegraphene layer 406-2. As a result, the graphene layers 416-1, 416-2 canperform the same functionalities as the graphene layers 406-1, 406-2,despite the graphene layers 416-1, 416-2 overlying on side walls of arecess or cavity.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate exemplary graphite-based devices with bentgraphene layers in various configurations. In some embodiments, anon-planar graphene layer overlays onto two adjacent surfaces that arenot on a common plane, such as the graphene layer 506 overlaying the topsurface 504-2 and a side wall 504-1 of the element 502 in FIG. 5A. Insome embodiments, a non-planar graphene layer overlays onto three ormore adjacent surfaces that are not on a common plane, such as thegraphene layer 506 overlaying the top surface 504-2 and two side walls504-1, 504-3 of the element 502 in FIG. 5B.

In some embodiments, a non-planar graphene layer overlays the entire topsurface and side walls of the element as illustrated in FIG. 5D,covering or encapsulating the element. Such configurations provide largeworkable or functional surface areas for the devices, in particular whenthe element is tall. In some embodiments, the height H of an element canrange between several nanometers to several micrometers. In addition,such configurations allow the formation of physical or electricalconnection or communication between a graphene layer and othercomponents in the devices. For instance, FIG. 5E illustrates theformation of connection between the non-planar graphene layer 506 withan oxidized layer 508 at one edge and with a lead 510 at the other edge.In some embodiments in which the graphene layer 506 is generated afterthe deposition of the lead 510, each graphene sheet in the graphenelayer 506 contacts the lead 510, thus providing the devices with a solidand high quality connection.

In some embodiments, an element is undercut to provide additionalsurface areas for the formation of functional graphene layers. Twoexamples are illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. As a resultof undercutting, the graphene layer 506 in FIG. 5A forms a pointedintersection or a stress intersection with a reflex bending angle α1that is generally over 270 degrees. However, undercutting does notnecessarily produce a reflex bending angle. For instance, undercuttingin FIG. 2B produces an obtuse angle α2 that is between 180 degrees and270 degrees.

In some embodiments, an element is configured to have a curved surfaceto provide additional surface areas for the formation of functionalgraphene layers. An example is illustrated in FIG. 5C, in which thegraphene layer 506 overlays the top surface 504-2 and a side wall 504-1and a curved surface 504-3 of the element 502. As a result, the graphenelayer 506 in FIG. 5C has a bent portion and curved portion, and can becharacterized by the bending angle α3 or the curvature r1, or acombination of the bending angle and the curvature.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrates another exemplary graphite-based device withbent graphene layers. In FIGS. 6A-6D, a selected zone 102-1 comprises aplurality of features, such as elements 606 and trenches 608, that hasbeen patterned in the substrate. The graphene stack 602 comprises agraphene layer 604 that is formed on the top surfaces and side walls ofall elements and on the bottom surfaces of all trenches in the selectedzone 102-1. The graphene layer 604 is continuous and long in one lateraldirection such as the lateral direction x. Along another lateraldirection such as the lateral direction y, the elements and trenches canbe configured to have a characteristic dimension such as D1 to achievedesired bandgaps or desired functionalities.

Configurations illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E and 6A-6D advantageouslyprovide large workable or functional surface areas. In many cases, theworkable areas surpass the underlying physical surface areas,particularly when the elements are tall relative to their width.Consequently, such configurations provide additional workable surfaceareas for performing electronic or photonic functions, thereby enhancingfunctionalities of devices such as efficiency of solar cells orphotodetectors. In addition, the elements provide structural supports tothe graphene layer, resulting in the exemplary devices of the presentdisclosure having a high quality and integrity.

Graphite-based devices of the present disclosure with bent graphenelayers can have other configurations. For instance, FIGS. 7A-7Fillustrate bent graphene layers formed on features, such as elementswith pillar or pyramid shapes, which have been patterned in a substrate.In some embodiments, a non-planar graphene layer comprises a pluralityof portions, with each respective portion overlaying a correspondingside wall of the element, such as the graphene layer 702 in FIGS. 7A-7Coverlaying all side walls of the element 704. A bending angle is formedbetween two portions of the graphene layer overlaying on two adjacentside walls, as indicated by al in FIG. 7C. In some embodiments, aportion of the non-planar graphene layer, such as the graphene layer 706in FIGS. 7D-7F, overlays on a top surface of the element. Anotherbending angle is formed between the portions of the graphene layeroverlaying on the top surface and on a side wall, as indicated by α2 inFIG. 7F.

In some embodiments, the top surface, such as 704-1 in FIG. 7B, or oneor more side walls of the element, such as 704-2 in FIGS. 7D-7E, are notoccupied by a graphene layer. Unoccupied top surfaces or side walls ofan element can be used for other purposes, for instance, accompanyingother components of the devices such as a lead for the formation ofelectrical communication with the graphene layer.

FIGS. 8A-8F illustrate bent graphene layers formed on features such asrecesses or cavities with pillar or pyramid shapes that have beenpatterned in a substrate. Similar to the embodiments in FIGS. 7A-7F, anon-planar graphene layer can comprise a plurality of portions, witheach respective portion overlaying a corresponding side wall of a recessor cavity. A bending angle is formed between two portions of thegraphene layer overlaying on two adjacent side walls, as indicated by alin FIG. 8A. In some embodiments, one or more side walls of the recess orcavity are not occupied by a graphene layer and can be used foraccompanying other components of the devices, such as a lead for theformation of electrical communication with the graphene layer. Examplesof such embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 8C-8D. In some embodiments,the side walls of the recess or cavity are tapered or undercut, asillustrated in FIGS. 8E-8F. Graphene layers formed on such side walls ingeneral are slanted with respect to a surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments, bent graphene layers are compressed, forming one ormore compression points or compression intersections. For instance,FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate bent graphene layers formed on a trench 902. Inthe illustrated embodiments, the graphene layers (e.g., 906, 908)include portions overlaying on the bottom surface and side walls of thetrench 902 as well as a portion or portions overlaying on a surface(e.g., 904) of the substrate in the selected zone 102-1. In someembodiments, the graphene layer (e.g., 908) is thick, for instance,having a thickness that is approximately equal to the half of the trenchwidth. In such embodiments, the graphene layer (e.g., 908) fills thetrench and is squeezed, forming a compression point or compressionintersection as indicated by reference number 912 in FIG. 9B. In someembodiments, a plurality of graphene layers (e.g., 910-1, 910-2, 910-3)are formed in the trench, with a first graphene layer (e.g., 910-1)overlaying the bottom and side walls of the trench as well as thesurface (e.g., 904) of the substrate in the zone 102-1 and othergraphene layers overlaying on top of each other. Like the graphene layer908, in some embodiments, the plurality of graphene layers fills thetrench and is squeezed, forming a compression point or compressionintersection as illustrated in FIG. 9C.

In various embodiments, graphite-based devices of the present disclosurecomprise a graphene stack with a plurality of graphene layers thatcollectively form a graphene profile. In many embodiments, one graphenelayer in the plurality of graphene layers is non-planar and theplurality of graphene layers has different characteristic dimensions,producing the devices with multiple functionalities. For instance, FIG.10A illustrates a graphene stack 1002 comprising two graphene layers1004-1, 1004-2. The first graphene layer 1004-1 overlays on the firstsurface 1006-1 in the selected zone 102-1. The second graphene layer1004-2 has a first portion overlaying the first graphene layer 1004-1,and a second portion overlaying an adjacent second surface 1006-2 in theselected zone 102-1. Although the first and second surfaces illustratedin FIG. 10A are flat and on the same common plane, these are notnecessary requirements. The first or second surface can be non-planar,on an element, or in a trench. The second graphene layer 1004-2 furthercomprises an intermediate or transition portion 1008 between the firstand second portions, which is in general bent or curved and can becharacterized by a bending angle or a curvature. The intermediate ortransition portion 1008 connects the first and second portion, producingan unbroken and continuous graphene layer. In many embodiments, thesecond graphene layer 1004-2 has a different characteristic dimensionthan the first graphene layer 1004-1.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the graphene stack 1002further comprises a third graphene layer 1004-3, which has a firstportion overlaying the second graphene layer 1004-2 and a second portionoverlaying a third surface 1006-3 in the selected zone 102-1. The thirdsurface is adjacent to the second surface 1006-2, but does notnecessarily on the same plane as the second surface. Similar to thesecond graphene layer 1004-2, the third graphene layer also comprisesintermediate or transition portion 1010 that connects the first andsecond portions of the third graphene layer. In some embodiments, thegraphene stack 1002 further comprises one or more graphene layersoverlaying on top of the third graphene layer 1004-3. In manyembodiments, the first portion of the third graphene layer 1004-3 thatoverlays the second graphene layer 1004-3 is curved or bent.

FIG. 10C illustrates another graphite-based device of the presentdisclosure that comprise a graphene stack with a graphene profile. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the graphene stack 1012 comprises threegraphene layers 1014-1, 1014-2, and 1014-3. The first graphene layer1014-1 overlays the first surface 1006-1 and the second grapheneoverlays the third surface 1006-3. The third surface is separated fromthe first surface by the second surface 1006-2. The first and secondgraphene layers can be either the same or different from each other inthe characteristic dimension, thickness, or other parameters. The thirdgraphene layer 1014-3 comprises a first portion that overlays on thefirst graphene layer 1014-1, a second portion that overlays the secondsurface 1006-2, and a third portion that overlays the second graphenelayer 1014-2. The third graphene layer 1014-3 also comprises a firsttransition portion 1016-1 between the first and third portions of thethird graphene layer and a second portion 1016-2 between the second andthird portions of the third graphene layer.

In some embodiments, the first and second transition portions havesubstantially the same bending angle or curvature. In some embodiments,the first and second transition portions have different bending anglesor curvatures. In some embodiments, the first and third surfaces arevery close to each other. In such embodiments, the first and secondtransition portions of the third graphene layer are squeezed, forming acompression point or compression intersection. In some embodiments, thegraphene stack 1012 further comprises one or more graphene layersoverlaying on top of the third graphene layer 1014-3.

Graphite-based devices of the present disclosure can comprise a graphenestack or graphene stacks with various other graphene profiles. In someembodiments, a graphene stack has a smooth shape, a stepwise shape, aconcave shape, or a convex shape. In some embodiments, a graphene stackhas a shape like a ribbon, a pillar, a dot, a cup, a cone, or a dome. Insome embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a plurality of graphenelayers with different characteristic dimensions along one lateraldirection but with substantially a same characteristic dimension alonganother lateral direction. In some embodiments, the outermost graphenelayer covers or encapsulates the inner graphene layers, and thus servesas a protection to the inner graphene layers. In some embodiments, agraphene layer has a portion overhanging, abutting or adjoining anotheradjacent graphene layer, and is separated from the adjacent graphenelayer by boundary conditions at an abutting or adjoining intersection.More information on graphene or graphite-based devices can be found in,for example, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/775,479, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

In some embodiments, a graphite-based device of the present disclosurecomprises 1, 2, between 2 and 10, 10, between 10 and 100, 100, between100 and 1000, 1000, or over 1000 graphene stacks. In some embodiments,each selected zone comprises 1 graphene stack. In various embodiments,each selected zone comprises between 2 and 10, 10, between 10 and 100,100, between 100 and 1000, 1000, or over 1000 graphene stacks. In someembodiments, each graphene stack is substantially the same as othergraphene stacks generated in the same selected zone or in the samesubstrate.

For example, FIG. 11A illustrates a graphical representation of anembodiment that comprises a plurality of graphene stacks (e.g., 1102-1)with substantially the same ribbon-like shape. In some embodiments,graphene stacks generated in the same selected zone are different. Insome cases these graphene stacks form physical contacts but arefunctionally separated from each other by boundary conditions, asillustrated by the graphene stacks 1102-7, 1102-8 in the zone 102-2 andthe graphene stacks 1102-9, 1102-10 in the zone 102-3 (illustrated inFIG. 11D). In some embodiments, each graphene stack generated in onezone is different than other graphene stacks generated in other zones,such as graphene stacks 1102-3, 1102-4, 1102-5, 1102-6, illustrated inFIG. 11C.

In some embodiments, a first plurality of graphene stacks (e.g., firstset) generated in one or more zones is different than a second pluralityof graphene stacks (e.g., second set) generated in another zone or zonesand thus the first set performs different functionalities than thesecond set. For instance, FIG. 11B illustrates a first plurality ofgraphene stacks 1102-1 generated in zones 102-1, 102-4 with aribbon-like shape and a second plurality of graphene stacks 1102-2generated in zone 102-2, 102-3 with a dot-like or dome-like shape.Moreover, in some embodiments, a graphene stack or each graphene stackin the first set or in the second set comprises a plurality of graphenelayers with varied characteristic dimensions. In such embodiments, thesingle graphene stack itself performs multiple functionalities.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphenelayer that is characterized by a bending angle. In some embodiments, thebending angle is an acute bending angle, a substantially right bendingangle, an obtuse bending angle, or a reflex bending angle. In someembodiments, the bending angle is between 0.5 degrees and 10 degrees,between 10 degrees and 45 degrees, between 45 degrees and 180 degrees,or between 180 degrees and 230 degrees. In some embodiments, the bendingangle does not exceed 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the bendingangle is over 180 degrees, about 270 degrees, or over 270 degrees.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphenelayer that is characterized by a curvature. In some embodiments, thenon-planar graphene layer has a concave shape with a negative curvature.In some embodiments, the non-planar graphene layer has a convex shapewith a positive curvature. In some embodiments, the non-planar graphenelayer has a bend portion and a curved portion. In some embodiments, thenon-planar graphene layer is characterized by other parameters such asthe graphene orientation or the graphene type.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphenelayer that has a portion overlaying a side wall of an element, and theelement has a height that is between 3 nm and 25 nm, between 25 nm and1000 nm, between 1 μm and 5 μm, or between 5 μm and 10 μm. In someembodiments, a graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphene layer thathas a portion overlaying a side wall or a circumferential surface of arecess, and the recess has a height that is between 0.1 nm and 3 nm,between 3 nm and 25 nm, between 25 nm and 1000 nm, between 1 μm and 5μm, or between 5 μm and 10 μm.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphenelayer overlaying a circumferential surface of a cone, and the cone has asemi-vertex angle that is between 5 degrees and 10 degrees, between 10degrees and 20 degrees, between 20 degrees and 30 degrees, between 30degrees and 50 degrees, or over 50 degrees.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphenelayer that comprises 1 to 50 graphene sheets, 50 to 100 graphene sheets,or 100 to 500 graphene sheets. In some embodiments, the non-planargraphene layer has a characteristic dimension between 1 nm and 20 nm,between 20 nm and 50 nm, between 50 nm and 100 nm, or between 100 nm and500 nm.

In some embodiments, a graphene stack comprises a plurality of graphenelayers with one graphene layer having a characteristic dimension between1 nm and 20 nm and another graphene layer having a characteristicdimension between 20 nm and 50 nm. In some embodiments, three graphenelayers in the same graphene stack have different characteristicdimensions, for instance, a first one between 1 nm and 20 nm, a secondone between 20 nm and 50 nm and a third one between 50 nm and 100 nm. Insome embodiments, the first graphene layer has a characteristicdimension that is between 25 nm and 35 nm for absorbing or emitting ablue frequency or a blue frequency range, and the second graphene layerhas a characteristic dimension that is between 65 nm and 75 nm forabsorbing or emitting a green frequency or a green frequency range.

Exemplary methods for fabricating graphite-based devices of the presentdisclosure are illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. For instance, FIG. 12provides a flow chart of an exemplary method 1200 that uses dopantprofiles to form graphite-based devices of the present disclosure. Themethod 1200 includes doping the substrate with carbon to produce one ormore doped zones in the substrate (e.g., S1210) and then concurrentlygenerating one or more graphene stacks in the one or more doped zones(e.g., S1220). In various embodiments, the doping provides for eachdoped zone with a plurality of dopant profiles, resulting in eachgenerated graphene stack with a corresponding graphene profile. In someembodiments, the method further includes depositing a barrier layer onthe substrate before the doping with carbon, to control or assist thecontrol of the dopant profiles. In many embodiments, a graphene stackcomprises a non-planar graphene layer that is characterized by a bendingangle, a curvature, a characteristic dimension, a graphene orientation,a graphene type, or any combination of these or other characteristics.More information on the method 1200 can be found, for example, in U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/775,479, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

In some embodiments, a first zone is doped with a first plurality ofdopant profiles, and a first graphene stack is generated in the firstzone. In some embodiments, a second zone is doped with a secondplurality of dopant profiles, and a second graphene stack is generatedin the second zone. In some embodiments, the first and secondpluralities of dopant profiles are substantially the same, andconsequently, the generated first and second graphene stacks aresubstantially the same. In some embodiments, the first and secondpluralities of dopant profiles are different. As a result, the secondgraphene stack differs from the first graphene stack in at least one of:(i) a bending angle, (ii) a curvature, (iii) a characteristic dimension,(iv) a graphene orientation or (v) a graphene type. In some embodiments,one or more graphene stacks are generated in a selected zone, and insome cases, the graphene stacks generated in the same zone form physicalcontacts but functionally separated from each other

FIG. 13 provides a flow chart of another exemplary method 1300 that usesgraphene foundation materials to form graphite-based devices of thepresent disclosure. The method 1300 includes creating one or morenon-planar graphene foundation layers in one or more selected zones(e.g., S1310) and then concurrently generating one or more graphenestacks by using the one or more non-planar graphene foundation layers inthe one or more selected zones (e.g., S1320). In various embodiments, agenerated graphene stack comprises a non-planar graphene layer that ischaracterized by a bending angle, a curvature, a characteristicdimension, a graphene orientation, a graphene type, or any combinationof these or other characteristics. In some embodiments, the non-planargraphene foundation layers are formed using oblique angle deposition. Insome embodiments, oblique angle deposition is conducted multiple times,each with a different line or deposition angle. In some embodiments, thenon-planar graphene foundation layers are formed by conformallydepositing a graphene foundation layer in the selected zones followed byanisotropically etching the graphene foundation layer to form anon-planar graphene foundation layer. More information on this methodcan be found, for example, in U.S. Provisional Application No.61/759,860, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

FIG. 14 provides a flow chart of another exemplary method 1400 forforming graphite-based devices of the present disclosure. The method1400 includes patterning the substrate to form one or more features inone or more selected zones. A patterned feature, such as a first featureformed in a first zone, comprises (i) a non-planar surface, or (ii) atleast two adjacent surfaces that are not on a common plane. The method1400 further includes concurrently generating one or more graphenestacks in the selected zones. A generated graphene stack, such as afirst graphene stack formed in the first zone, comprises a non-planargraphene layer that overlays the non-planar surface of the first featureor overlays the two adjacent surfaces of the first feature. Patterningthe substrate can be achieved using any standard lithography techniques,some of which are set forth in Sections 7 and 8 below. More informationon substrate patterning and graphene generation can be found in, forexample, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/745,464, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/752,961, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/762,776,U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/751,774, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/769,170, the entire contents of each of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

6. ADVANTAGES

The present disclosure provides a wide variety of graphene orgraphite-based devices for various applications. Examples includedevices that can interact with resonance or variable wavelength orwavelength ranges, devices that can track solar lights in solartechnologies, devices that can redirect or concentrate photons, andantenna arrays that target specific wavelengths or wavelength ranges.Graphite-based devices of the present disclosure in general comprises anon-planar graphene layer that is bent, curved, or in various otherconfigurations.

In some embodiments, graphene or graphite-based devices of the presentdisclosure are configured to have large workable surface areas thatsurpass the underlying physical surface areas. The additional workablesurface areas absorb or emit photons, resulting in high packing densityof the devices and enhanced functionalities of the devices such asefficiency of solar cells or photodetectors.

In some embodiments, graphene or graphite-based devices of the presentdisclosure are configured to have the ability of performing multiplefunctions in the same device. For example, in some embodiments, agraphene stack performs one function while another graphene stackperforms a different function. In some embodiments, multiple functionsare achieved by a single graphene stack, with a graphene layer in thegraphene stack performing one function while another graphene layer inthe same graphene stack performing a different function.

7. DEPOSITION METHODS

The following subsections describe individual fabrication techniquesthat can be used to deposit material, e.g. thin film 108, foundationlayer 408, hereinafter referred to collectively as “deposit materials,”in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

7.1 Chemical Vapor Deposition

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by chemical vapor deposition. In chemical vapor deposition(CVD), the constituents of a vapor phase, often diluted with an inertcarrier gas, react at a hot surface (typically higher than 190° C.) todeposit a solid film. Generally, chemical vapor deposition reactionsrequire the addition of energy to the system, such as heating thechamber or the wafer. For more information on chemical vapor deposition,exemplary devices used to perform chemical vapor deposition, and processconditions are used to perform chemical vapor deposition of siliconnitride, see Van Zant, Microchip Fabrication, Fourth Edition,McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000, pp. 363-393; and Madou, Fundamentals ofMicrofabrication, Second Edition, 2002, pp. 144-154, CRC Press, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

7.2 Reduced Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD). RPCVDis typically performed at below 10 Pa and at temperatures in the rangeof (550° C.-600° C.). The low pressure used in RPCVD results in a largediffusion coefficient, which leads to growth of a layer that is limitedby the rate of surface reactions rather than the rate of mass transferto the substrate. In RPCVD, reactants can typically be used withoutdilution. RPCVD is performed, for example, in some embodiments, in ahorizontal tube hot wall reactor.

7.3 Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) or very lowpressure CVD. LPCVD is typically performed at below 1 Pa.

7.4 Atmospheric Chemical Vapor Deposition

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by atmospheric to slightly reduced pressure chemical vapordeposition. Atmospheric pressure to slightly reduced pressure CVD(APCVD) is used, for example, to grow APCVD is a relatively simplisticprocess that has the advantage of producing layers at high depositionrates and low temperatures (350° C.-400° C.).

7.5 Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by plasma enhanced (plasma assisted) chemical vapor deposition(PECVD). PECVD systems feature a parallel plate chamber operated at alow pressure (e.g., 2-5 Torr) and low temperature (300° C.-400° C.). Aradio-frequency-induced glow discharge, or other plasma source is usedto induce a plasma field in the deposition gas. PECVD systems that areused include, but are not limited to, horizontal vertical flow PECVD,barrel radiant-heated PECVD, and horizontal-tube PECVD. In someembodiments, remote plasma CVD (RPCVD) is used. Remote plasma CVD isdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,715 to Sano et al., whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

7.6 Anodization

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by anodization. Anodization is an oxidation process performedin an electrolytic cell. The material to be anodized becomes the anode(+) while a noble metal is the cathode (−). Depending on the solubilityof the anodic reaction products, an insoluble layer (e.g., an oxide)results. If the primary oxidizing agent is water, the resulting oxidesgenerally are porous, whereas organic electrolytes lead to very denseoxides providing excellent passivation. See, e.g., Madou et al., 1982,J. Electrochem. Soc. 129, pp. 2749-2752, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

7.7 Sol-Gel Deposition Techniques

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by a sol-gel process. In a sol-gel process solid particles,chemical precursors, in a colloidal suspension in a liquid (a sol) formsa gelatinous network (a gel). Upon removal of the solvent by heating aglass or ceramic layer. Both sol and gel formation are low-temperatureprocesses. For sol formation, an appropriate chemical precursor isdissolved in a liquid, for example, tetraethylsiloxane (TEOS) in water.The sol is then brought to its gel-point, that is, the point in thephase diagram where the sol abruptly changes from a viscous liquid to agelatinous, polymerized network. In the gel state the material is shaped(e.g., a fiber or a lens) or applied onto a substrate by spinning,dipping, or spraying. In the case of TEOS, a silica gel is formed byhydrolysis and condensation using hydrochloric acid as the catalyst.Drying and sintering at temperatures between 200° C. to 600° C.transforms the gel into a glass and ultimately into silicon dioxide.

In the semiconductor industry the sol-gel method described is often usedto deposit silicon dioxide. The method is known as the Spin-On Glassmethod (SOG). Spin-On Glass materials have been widely used as adiffusion source or a planarizing dielectric or multilevel metalizationschemes in the fabrication of nowadays integrated circuits. SOGs are ingeneral Si—O network polymers in organic solvents, and prepared throughthe hydrolysis-condensation reaction that implied the sol-geltechnology. SOG materials can be divided into three groups: 1) silicatebased compounds, 2) organosilicon compounds and 3) dopant-organiccompounds. More information on SOG can be found, for example, in NguyenNhu Toan, Spin-On Glass Materials and Applications in Advanced ICTechnologies, 1999, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

7.8 Plasma Spraying Techniques

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by a plasma spraying process. With plasma spraying, almost anymaterial can be coated on many types of substrates. Plasma spraying is aparticle deposition method. Particles, a few microns to 100 microns indiameter, are transported from source to substrate. In plasma spraying,a high-intensity plasma arc is operated between a sticktype cathode anda nozzle-shaped water-cooled anode. Plasma gas, pneumatically fed alongthe cathode, is heated by the arc to plasma temperatures, leaving theanode nozzle as a plasma jet or plasma flame. Argon and mixtures ofargon with other noble (He) or molecular gases (H₂, N₂, O₂, etc.) arefrequently used for plasma spraying. Fine powder suspended in a carriergas is injected into the plasma jet where the particles are acceleratedand heated. The plasma jet reaches temperatures of 20,000 K andvelocities up to 1000 ms-l in some embodiments. The temperature of theparticle surface is lower than the plasma temperature, and the dwellingtime in the plasma gas is very short. The lower surface temperature andshort duration prevent the spray particles from being vaporized in thegas plasma. The particles in the plasma assume a negative charge, owingto the different thermal velocities of electrons and ions. As the moltenparticles splatter with high velocities onto a substrate, they spread,freeze, and form a more or less dense coating, typically forming a goodbond with the substrate. Plasma spraying equipment is available fromSulzer Metco (Winterthur Switzerland). For more information on plasmaspraying, see, for example, Madou, Fundamentals of Microfabrication,Second Edition, 2002, pp. 157-159, CRC Press, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

7.9 Ink Jet Printing

In some embodiments, one or more layers of the deposit materials aredeposited by ink jet printing Ink jet printing is based on the sameprinciples of commercial ink-jet printing. The ink-jet nozzle isconnected to a reservoir filled with the chemical solution and placedabove a computer-controlled x-y stage. The target object is placed onthe x-y stage and, under computer control, liquid drops (e.g., 50microns in diameter) are expelled through the nozzle onto a well-definedplace on the object. Different nozzles print different spots inparallel. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a bubble jet,with drops as small as a few picoliters, is used to form a layer of adeposit material. In another embodiment, a thermal ink jet (HewlettPackard, Palo Alto, Calif.) is used to form a layer of a depositmaterial. In a thermal ink jet, resistors are used to rapidly heat athin layer of liquid ink. A superheated vapor explosion vaporizes a tinyfraction of the ink to form an expanding bubble that ejects a drop ofink from the ink cartridge onto the substrate. In still anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, a piezoelectric ink jet head isused for ink jet printing. A piezoelectric ink-jet head includes areservoir with an inlet port and a nozzle at the other end. One wall ofthe reservoir consists of a thin diaphragm with an attachedpiezoelectric crystal. When voltage is applied to the crystal, itcontracts laterally, thus deflecting the diaphragm and ejecting a smalldrop of fluid from the nozzle. The reservoir then refills via capillaryaction through the inlet. One, and only one, drop is ejected for eachvoltage pulse applied to the crystal, thus allowing complete controlover the when a drop is ejected. In yet another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, an epoxy delivery system is used to deposit a layerof a device. An example of an epoxy delivery system is the IvekDigispense 2000 (Ivek Corporation, North Springfield, Vermont). For moreinformation on jet spraying, see, for example, Madou, Fundamentals ofMicrofabrication, Second Edition, 2002, pp. 164-167, CRC Press, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

7.10 Vacuum Evaporation

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers of thedeposit materials are deposited by vacuum evaporation. Vacuumevaporation takes place inside an evacuated chamber. The chamber can be,for example, a quartz bell jar or a stainless steel enclosure. Insidethe chamber is a mechanism that evaporates the metal source, a waferholder, a shutter, thickness and rate monitors, and heaters. The chamberis connected to a vacuum pump. There are any number of different ways inwhich the metal is evaporated within the chamber, including filamentevaporation, E-beam gun evaporation, and hot plate evaporation. See, forexample, Van Zant, Microchip Fabrication, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill,New York, 2000, pp. 407-411, which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

7.11 Sputter Deposition/Physical Vapor Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by sputtering. Sputtering, likeevaporation, takes place in a vacuum. However, it is a physical not achemical process (evaporation is a chemical process), and is referred toas physical vapor deposition. Inside the vacuum chamber is a slab,called a target, of the desired film material. The target iselectrically grounded. An inert gas such as argon is introduced into thechamber and is ionized to a positive charge. The positively chargedargon atoms are attracted to the grounded target and accelerate towardit.

During the acceleration they gain momentum, and strike the target,causing target atoms to scatter. That is, the argon atoms “knock off”atoms and molecules from the target into the chamber. The sputteredatoms or molecules scatter in the chamber with some coming to rest onthe wafer. A principal feature of a sputtering process is that thetarget material is deposited on the wafer with chemical or compositionalchange. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, direct current(DC) diode sputtering, radio frequency (RF) diode sputtering, triodesputtering, DC magnetron sputtering or RF magnetron sputtering is used.See, for example, Van Zant, Microchip Fabrication, Fourth Edition,McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000, pp. 411-415; U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,977; U.S.Pat. No. 5,486,277; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,471, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

RF diode sputtering is a vacuum coating process where an electricallyisolated cathode is mounted in a chamber that can be evacuated andpartially filled with an inert gas. If the cathode material is anelectrical conductor, a direct-current high-voltage power supply is usedto apply the high voltage potential. If the cathode is an electricalinsulator, the polarity of the electrodes is reversed at very highfrequencies to prevent the formation of a positive charge on the cathodethat would stop the ion bombardment process. Since the electrodepolarity is reversed at a radio frequency, this process is referred toas I33 sputtering. Magnetron sputtering is different form of sputtering.Magnetron sputtering uses a magnetic field to trap electrons in a regionnear the target surface thus creating a higher probability of ionizing agas atom. The high density of ions created near the target surfacecauses material to be removed many times faster than in diodesputtering. The magnetron effect is created by an array of permanentmagnets included within the cathode assembly that produce a magneticfield normal to the electric field.

7.12 Collimated Sputtering

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by collimated sputtering. Collimatedsputtering is a sputtering process where the arrival of metal occurs atan angel normal to the wafer surface. The metal is collimated by a thickhoneycomb grid that effectively blocks off angle metal atoms in someembodiments. Alternatively, ionizing the metal atoms and attracting themtowards the wafer collimates the metal. Collimated sputtering improvesfilling of high aspect ratio contacts.

7.13 Laser Ablated Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by laser ablated deposition. In oneform of laser ablated deposition, a rotating cylindrical target surfaceis provided for the laser ablation process. The target is mounted in avacuum chamber so that it is rotated about the longitudinal axis of thecylindrical surface target and simultaneously translated along thelongitudinal axis. A laser beam is focused by a cylindrical lens ontothe target surface along a line that is at an angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis to spread a plume of ablated material over a radialarc. The plume is spread in the longitudinal direction by providing aconcave or convex lateral target surface. The angle of incidence of thefocused laser beam is other than normal to the target surface to providea glancing geometry in some embodiments. Simultaneous rotation about andtranslation along the longitudinal axis produce a smooth and evenablation of the entire cylindrical target surface and a steadyevaporation plume. Maintaining a smooth target surface is useful inreducing undesirable splashing of particulates during the laser ablationprocess and thereby depositing high quality thin films. See, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,405, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

7.14 Molecular Beam Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by molecular beam deposition.Molecular beam deposition is a method of growing films, under vacuumconditions, by directing one or more molecular beams at a substrate. Insome instances, molecular beam deposition involves epitaxial film growthon single crystal substrates by a process that typically involves eitherthe reaction of one or more molecular beams with the substrate or thedeposition on the substrate of the beam particles. The term “molecularbeam” refers to beams of monoatomic species as well as polyatomicspecies. The term molecular beam deposition includes both epitaxialgrowth and nonepitaxial growth processes. Molecular beam deposition is avariation of simple vacuum evaporation. However, molecular beamdeposition offers better control over the species incident on thesubstrate than does vacuum evaporation. Good control over the incidentspecies, coupled with the slow growth rates that are possible, permitsthe growth of thin layers having compositions (including dopantconcentrations) that are precisely defined. Compositional control isaided by the fact that growth is generally at relatively low substratetemperatures, as compared to other growth techniques such as liquidphase epitaxy or chemical vapor deposition, and diffusion processes arevery slow.

Essentially arbitrary layer compositions and doping profiles areobtained with precisely controlled layer thickness. In fact, layers asthin as a monolayer are grown by MBE. Furthermore, the relatively lowgrowth temperature permits growth of materials and use of substratematerials that could not be used with higher temperature growthtechniques. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,773, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

7.15 Ionized Physical Vapor Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by ionized physical vapor deposition(I-PVD), also known as ionized metal plasma (IMP). In I-PVD, metal atomsare ionized in an intense plasma. Once ionized, the metal is directed byelectric fields perpendicular to the wafer surface. Metal atoms areintroduced into the plasma by sputtering from the target. A high densityplasma is generated in the central volume of the reactor by aninductively coupled plasma (ICP) source. This electron density issufficient to ionize approximately 80% of the metal atoms incident atthe wafer surface. The ions from the plasma are accelerated andcollimated at the surface of the wafer by a plasma sheath. The sheath isa region of intense electric field that is directed toward the wafersurface. The field strength is controlled by applying a radio frequencybias.

7.16 Ion Beam Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by ion beam deposition (IBD). IBDuses an energetic, broad beam ion source carefully focused on a groundedmetallic or dielectric sputtering target. Material sputtered from thetarget deposits on a nearby substrate to create a film. Mostapplications also use a second ion source, termed an ion assist source(IAD), which is directed at the substrate to deliver energetic noble orreactive ions at the surface of the growing film. The ion sources are“gridded” ion sources and are typically neutralized with an independentelectron source. IBD processing yields excellent control andrepeatability of film thickness and properties. Process pressures in IBDsystems are approximately 10-4 Torr. Hence, there is very littlescattering of either ions delivered by the ion sources or materialsputtered from the target of the surface. Compared to sputter depositionusing magnetron or diode systems, sputter deposition by IBD is highlydirectional and more energetic. In combination with a substrate fixturethat rotates and changes angle, IBD systems deliver a broad range ofcontrol over sidewall coatings, trench filling and liftoff profiles.

7.17 Atomic Layer Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by atomic layer deposition. Atomiclayer deposition is also known as atomic layer epitaxy, sequential layerdeposition, and pulsed-gas chemical vapor deposition. Atomic layerdeposition involves use of a precursor based on self-limiting surfacereactions. Generally, an object is exposed to a first species thatdeposits as a monolayer on the object. Then, the monolayer is exposed toa second species to form a fully reacted layer plus gaseous byproducts.The process is typically repeated until a desired thickness is achieved.Atomic layer deposition and various methods to carry out the same aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,430 to Suntola et al., entitled “Methodfor Producing Compound Thin Films,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,022 to Suntolaet al., entitled “Method for Performing Growth of Compound Thin Films,”to Ylilammi, and George et al., 1996, J. Phys. Chem. 100, pp.13121-13131, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Atomic layer deposition has also been described as achemical vapor deposition operation performed under controlledconditions that cause the deposition to be self-limiting to yielddeposition of, at most, a monolayer. The deposition of a monolayerprovides precise control of film thickness and improved compoundmaterial layer uniformity. Atomic layer deposition is performed usingequipment such as the Endura Integrated Cu Barrier/Seed system (AppliedMaterials, Santa Clara, Calif.).

7.18 Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by hot filament chemical vapordeposition (HFCVD). In HFCVD, reactant gases are flowed over a heatedfilament to form precursor species that subsequently impinge on thesubstrate surface, resulting in the deposition of high quality films.HFCVD has been used to grow a wide variety of films, including diamond,boron nitride, aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, boron carbide, aswell as amorphous silicon nitride. See, for example, Deshpande et al.,1995, J. Appl. Phys. 77, pp. 6534-6541, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

7.19 Screen Printing

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by a screen printing (also known assilk-screening) process. A paste or ink is pressed onto portions of anunderlying structure through openings in the emulsion on a screen. See,for example, Lambrechts and Sansen, Biosensors: MicroelectrochemicalDevices, The Institute of Physics Publishing, Philadelphia, 1992, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The paste consistsof a mixture of the material of interest, an organic binder, and asolvent. The organic binder determines the flow properties of the paste.The bonding agent provides adhesion of particles to one another and tothe substrate. The active particles make the ink a conductor, aresistor, or an insulator. The lithographic pattern in the screenemulsion is transferred onto portions of the underlying structure byforcing the paste through the mask openings with a squeegee. In a firststep, paste is put down on the screen. Then the squeegee lowers andpushes the screen onto the substrate, forcing the paste through openingsin the screen during its horizontal motion. During the last step, thescreen snaps back, the thick film paste that adheres between thescreening frame and the substrate shears, and the printed pattern isformed on the substrate. The resolution of the process depends on theopenings in the screen and the nature of the paste. With a 325-meshscreen (i.e., 325 wires per inch or 40 μM holes) and a typical paste, alateral resolution of 100 μM can be obtained.

For difficult-to-print pastes, a shadow mask, such as a thin metal foilwith openings, complements the process. However, the resolution of thismethod is inferior (>500 μM). After printing, the wet films are allowedto settle for a period of time (e.g., fifteen minutes) to flatten thesurface while drying. This removes the solvents from the paste.Subsequent firing burns off the organic binder, metallic particles arereduced or oxidized, and glass particles are sintered. Typicaltemperatures range from 500° C. to 1000° C. After firing, the thicknessof the resulting layer ranges from 10 μM to 50 μM. One silk-screeningsetup is the DEK 4265 (Universal Instrument Corporation, Binghamton, NewYork). Commercially available inks (pastes) that can be used in thescreen printing include conductive (e.g., Au, Pt, Ag/Pd, etc.),resistive (e.g., RuO₂, IrO₂), overglaze, and dielectric (e.g., Al₂O₃,ZrO₂). The conductive pastes are based on metal particles, such as Ag,Pd, Au, or Pt, or a mixture of these combined with glass. Resistivepastes are based on RuO₂ or Bi₂Ru₂O₇ mixed with glass (e.g., 65% PBO,25% SiO₂, 10% Bi₂O₃).

The resistivity is determined by the mixing ratio. Overglaze anddielectric pastes are based on glass mixtures. Different meltingtemperatures can be achieved by adjusting the paste composition. See,for example, Madou, Fundamentals of Microfabrication, Second Edition,CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 2002, pp. 154-156, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

7.20 Electroless Metal Deposition

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by electroless metal deposition. Inelectroless plating a layer is built by chemical means without applyinga voltage. Electroless plating baths can be used to form Au, Co—P, Cu,Ni—Co, Ni—P, Pd, or Pt layers. See, for example, Madou, Fundamentals ofMicrofabrication, Second Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 2002, pp.344-345, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

7.21 Electroplating

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more layers ofthe deposit materials are deposited by electroplating. Electroplatingtakes place in an electrolytic cell. The reactions that take place inelectroplating involve current flow under an imposed bias. In someembodiments, a layer is deposited as part of a damascene process. See,for example, Madou, Fundamentals of Microfabrication, Second Edition,CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 2002, pp. 346-357, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

8. LITHOGRAPHIC ETCHING METHODS

The following subsections describe lithographic etching techniques thatcan be used in the fabrication methods described above. One of skill inthe art will appreciate that etching or patterning the substrate can beconducted using other methods including, but not limited to, directwrite technologies, Block Copolymer techniques and frequency doublingtechniques.

8.1 Cleaning and Dehydration Baking

In some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, thefabrication methods begin with a cleaning process. Substrate cleaning isan important step in a lithographic process if there is contamination inpresence, as the contamination can severally compromise the adhesion ofthe resist to the substrate. Substrate surfaces have four general typesof contamination: particulates, organic residues, inorganic residues,and unwanted oxide layers. Depending on the substrate and the type ofcontaminants, several cleaning techniques can be used. These methodsinclude dry cleaning, wet cleanings, ultrasonic agitation, polishingwith abrasive compounds, supercritical cleaning

In some embodiments, a wet cleaning is used to remove organic materialsfrom the substrate and prepare for the adhesion of the resist to thesubstrate. It is carried out by submerging a substrate in a bath or byrinsing the substrate with DI water and/or a solvent rinse. After thewet cleaning, the substrate is dried to remove moistures. Several dryingtechniques can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the substrateafter wet cleaning can be dried using dehydration bake method. In thismethod, the substrate is baked at a temperature for a period of timesuch as baked at 80° C. for several minutes. In some embodiments, thesubstrate may be dried by N₂ flow or spinning More detailed informationwith regard to cleaning and drying of a substrate can be found, forexample, in Van Zant, Microchip Fabrication, Forth Edition, McGraw-Hill,New York, 2000, pp. 87-131, which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

8.2 Adhesion Promotion Coating

To further improve the adhesion of the resist to the substrate, anadhesion promoter can be applied to the substrate before the applicationof the resist. Depending on the substrate and the resist, variousadhesion promoters can be used. In some embodiments,Bis(trimethylsilyl)amine (also known as hexamethyldisilazane, or HMDS)or other organic materials are chosen as the adhesion promoter for thefabrication processes described in the present application.

HMDS is an organosilicon compound with the molecular formula[(CH₃)₃Si]₂NH. The molecule is a derivative of ammonia withtrimethylsilyl groups in place of two hydrogen atoms. This colorlessliquid is a reagent and a precursor to bases that are popular in organicsynthesis and organometallic chemistry. In photolithography, HMDS isoften used as an adhesion promoter for photoresist, and can be appliedusing any suitable conventional methods. For example, HMDS can beapplied by vapor chemical deposition. In general, good adhesions areobtained by applying HMDS from the gas phase on heated substrates.

8.3 Bottom Anti-Reflective Coating

Optionally, a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) may be applied tohelp reduce image distortions associated with light reflections duringlithography. In some cases, BARCs are critical and highly desirable. Forexample, when the substrate or a layer on the substrate is highlyreflective, as in metal and polysilicon layers, light reflections candestroy the pattern resolution by three mechanisms: a) off-normalincident light can be reflected back through the resist that is intendedto be masked; b) incident light can be reflected off device features andexpose “notches” in the resist; and c) thin-film interference effectscan lead to linewidth variations when resist thickness changes arecaused by substrate or wafer topology or nonflatness.

BARCs can be either organic or inorganic, and can be applied eitherbefore or after the photoresist. Conventional methods, such as spinning,sputtering or chemical vapor deposition, can be used to apply the BARCs.By reducing standing waves, thin-film interference, or specularreflections, a BARC helps shrink line widths and improves the patternresolution. In some cases, a BARC can absorb the radiation anddissipates the energy as heat. Such a BARC is generally suitable to beapplied to a substrate before the resist. This BARC lowers reflectanceback into the photoresist that has passed through the photoresist.

8.4 Resist Properties

One form of photolithographic processing in accordance with the presentdisclosure begins with the coating of a resist layer over the layer ofmaterial to be patterned. Another form of photolithographic processingin accordance with the present disclosure applys the resist coatingafter at least one of the steps described in the previous sections,i.e., cleaning and dehydration baking, adhesion promotion coating orBARC. Resists used to form this resist layer are typically comprised oforganic polymers applied from a solution. In some embodiments, thethickness of the resist is determined using Bossung Curve analysis.Bossung Curve analysis is one of the most commonly used tools inlithography. It maps a control surface for critical dimensions as afunction of the variables of focus and exposure (dose). A detaileddiscussion of the Bossung Curve analysis can be found in Zavecz,Metrology, Inspection and Process Control edited by C. Archie,Proceeding of SPIE (2006) Vol. 6152-109, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, this resist layer has a thickness in the range of0.1 μm to 2.0 μm. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the resist layer hasa uniformity of plus or minus 0.01 μm. In some embodiments, the resistlayer is applied using a spin technique such as a static spin process ora dynamic dispense process. In some embodiments, the resist layer isapplied using a manual spinner, a moving-arm resist dispenser, or anautomatic spinner. See, for example, Van Zant, Microchip Fabrication,Forth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000, pp. 217-222, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Negative Resists.

In some embodiments, the resist layer is an optical resist that isdesigned to react with ultraviolet or laser sources. In someembodiments, the resist layer is a negative resist in which polymers inthe resist form a cross-linked material that is etch resistant uponexposure to light. Examples of negative resists that can be used to makethe resist layer include, but are not limited to, azidelisoprenenegative resists, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polymethylisopropylketone (PMIPK), poly-butene-1-sulfone (PBS), poly-(trifluoroethylchloroacrylate) TFECA, copolymer-(V-cyano ethyl acrylate-V-amido ethylacrylate) (COP), poly-(2-methyl pentene-1-sulfone) (PMPS) and the like.

Positive Resists.

In other embodiments, the resist layer (e.g., positive resist layer ofFIG. 2A) is a positive resist. The positive resist is relativelyinsoluble. After exposure to the proper light energy, the resistconverts to a more soluble state. This reaction is calledphotosobulization. One positive photoresist in accordance with thepresent disclosure is the phenol-formaldehyde polymer, also calledphenol-formaldehyde novolak resin. See, for example, DeForest,Photoresist: Materials and Processes, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1975, whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In someembodiments, the resist layer is LOR OSA, LOR 5 0.7A, LOR 1A, LOR 3A, orLOR 5A (MICROCHEM, Newton, Mass.). LOR lift-off resists usepolydimethylglutarimide.

8.5 Soft Baking

After the resist layer has been applied, the density is ofteninsufficient to support later processing. And some solvent may inhibitthe exposure curve. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a bake is used to densify the resist layer and drive offresidual solvent or excess carrier solvent from the resist layer. Afterthe bake, the resist becomes less tacky and the thickness of the resistlayer is reduced slightly. This bake is referred to as a softbake,prebake, or post-apply bake. Several methods of baking the resist layerare contemplated by the present disclosure including, but not limitedto, convection ovens, infrared ovens, microwave ovens, or hot plates.See, e.g., Levinson, Principles of Lithography, SPIE Press, Bellingham,Wash., 2001, pp. 68-70, which is hereby incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

8.6 Alignment and Exposure of the Mask

After the spacer has been coated with a resist layer, the next step isalignment and exposure of the resist layer. Alignment and exposure is,as the name implies, a two-purpose photomasking step. The first part ofthe alignment and exposure step is the positioning or alignment of therequired image on the material surface. The image is found on a mask.The second part is the encoding of the image in the resist layer from anexposing light or radiation source. In the present disclosure, anyconventional alignment system can be used to align the mask with theresist layer, including but not limited to, contact aligners, proximityaligners, scanning projection aligners, steppers, step and scanaligners, x-ray aligners, and electron beam aligners. For a review ofaligners that can be used in the present disclosure, see, e.g., SolidState Technology, April 1993, p. 26; and Van Zant, MicrochipFabrication, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000, pp. 232-241,each of which in incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Maskscan be negative or positive.

A positive mask (not shown) used to develop a positive resist would havethe opposite pattern of a negative mask. Both negative masks andpositive masks used in the methods of the present disclosure arefabricated with techniques similar to those used in wafer processing. Aphotomask blank, consisting of an opaque film (usually chromium)deposited on glass substrates, is covered with resist. The resist isexposed according to the desired pattern, is then developed, and theexposed opaque material etched. Mask patterning is accomplishedprimarily by means of beam writers, which are tools that expose maskblanks according to suitably formatted biosensor electrode patterns. Insome embodiments, electron or optical beam writers are used to patternnegative masks or positive masks. See, e.g., Levison, Principles ofLithography, SPIE Press, Bellingham, Wash., 200 l, pp. 229-256, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Exposing the resist to light breaks or forms chemical bonds in theresist layer. The final image matches the desired pattern from the maskor interference pattern. In various embodiments, attention is focused onproviding uniformity of the light intensity and/or controlling theexposure rate.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tool used to projectthe pattern of a mask onto a device is a wafer stepper. Wafer steppersexist in two configurations, step-and-repeat and step-and-scan. In astep-and-repeat system, the entire area of the mask to be exposed isilluminated when a shutter is opened. In a step-and scan system, onlypart of the mask, and therefore only part of the exposure field on thedevice unit, is exposed when a shutter is opened. The entire field isexposed by scanning mask and the device being patterned synchronously.See, e.g., Levison, Principles of Lithography, SPIE Press, Bellingham,Wash., 200 l, pp. 133-174, which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

8.7 Post Expose Bake

Before developing the resist, a post exposure bake (PEB) is optionallyperformed after exposure. In some cases where high resolutions are notrequired, the PEB is not necessary. However, for certain resists or forhigh resolutions, a PEB is inevitable for the crosslinking induced bythe exposure.

PEB can be applied above the softening point of the resist withoutdestroying the structures to be developed. For example, a PEB can beperformed at 110° C., for 1-2 min on a hotplate. A PEB performed nearthe softening point of the photo resist can reduce mechanical stressformed during softbake and exposure. A PEB can also promote thethermally activated diffusion of carboxylic acid formed during exposurefrom the photo active compound. This diffusion step smoothes the spatialperiodic pattern of carboxylic acid, which in turn will help to improvethe image or pattern resolution.

8.8 Development

After exposure through a mask, the pattern is coded as a latent image inresist as regions of exposed and unexposed resist. The pattern isdeveloped in the resist by chemical dissolution of the unpolymerizedresist regions. A number of development techniques can be used todevelop the resist. Development techniques are designed to leave in theresist layer an exact copy of the pattern that was on the mask orreticle. The successful development of the image coded in resist isdependent on the nature of the resist's exposure mechanisms.

Negative resist, upon exposure to light, goes through a process ofpolymerization which renders the resist resistant to dissolution in thedeveloper chemical. The dissolving rate between the two regions is highenough so that little of the layer is lost from the polymerized regions.The chemical preferred for many negative-resist-developing situations isxylene or Stoddart solvent. The development step is done with a chemicaldeveloper followed by a rinse. For negative resists, the rinse chemicalis n-butyl acetate in some embodiments.

Positive resists present a different developing condition. The tworegions, polymerized and unpolyrnerized, have a different dissolvingrate. This means that during the developing step some resist is alwayslost from the polymerized region. Use of developers that are tooaggressive or that have overly long developing times result in anunacceptable thinning of the resist. Two types of chemical developersused with positive resists in accordance with the present disclosure arealkaline-water solutions and nonionic solutions. The alkaline-watersolutions can be sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Typicalnonionic solutions include, but are not limited to, tetramethylammoniumhydroxide (TMAH). The rinse chemical for positive-resist developers iswater. A rinse is used for both positive and negative resists. Thisrinse is used to rapidly dilute the developer chemical to stop thedeveloping action.

There are several methods in which a developer is applied to resist inorder to develop the latent image. Such methods include, but are notlimited to, immersion, spray development, and puddle development. Insome embodiments of the present disclosure, wet development methods arenot used. Rather, a dry (or plasma) development is used. In such dryprocesses, a plasma etcher uses energized ions to chemically dissolveaway either exposed or unexposed portions of the resist layer withoutfirst developing the resist layer using wet chemical techniques.

In some embodiments, in particular when an organic compound is used asthe photoresist, the chemical reaction in the resist layer needs to becontrolled to ensure the image fidelity. This can be achieved bycontrolling the exposure time, the development time, or other processingparameters. Image fidelity herein refers to the ability of alithographic process to render an image accurately, without any visibledistortion or information loss.

8.9 Hard Baking

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, resist is hard bakedafter it has been developed. The purpose of the hard bake is to achievegood adhesion of the resist layer to the underlying layer to bepatterned. In some embodiments, a hard bake is accomplished using aconvection oven, in-line or manual hot plates, infrared tunneling ovens,moving-belt convection ovens, vacuum ovens and the like. General bakingtemperature and baking times are provided by the resist manufacture.Therefore, specific baking temperatures and times is applicationdependent. Usually the hard baking temperature is the hottest or highesttemperature among all of the processes. Nominal hard bake temperaturesare from 130° C. to 200° C. for thirty minutes in a convection oven. Thehard baking sets the resist and enhances mechanical stability of theresist for the subsequent etch or implant process. At this point, theimage fidelity is usually measured and fed back to the precedinglithographic steps.

8.10 Etching

After development, an etching step is used for patterning. A number ofetching methods are available. Etching can be divided into dry and wetetching. The following disclosure provides examples of such etching. Itwill be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed etchingmethods can be used independently of the preceding lithographic steps inaccordance with some embodiments. It will be further understood by oneof skill in the art that the disclosed etching methods can be used withthe preceding lithographic steps in accordance with some embodiments.Wet etching is the use of acidic or basic solutions to solvate away aspecific reacted species. Examples are silicon dioxide being etched inhydrofluoric acid, or Si₃N₄ in hot phosphoric acid, or mono-crystallinesilicon in potassium hydroxide (KOH)). Photoresist materials are removedby acid or base materials (depending on polarity and resist chemistry).

The following list is a generic categorization of the classifications ofetches methods. Each etch method has specialized equipment foroptimization of the process. Complexity has evolved to the point wheresome of the terms and techniques are interchangeable. For example, thereare terms depending on the vendor, for inductive coupled plasma (ICP)etch or transformer coupled plasma (TCP), each which improves an ionetcher.

8.10.1 Wet Etching

In wet etching, etchant is introduced either as a liquid bath withsubmersion or a surface spray/mist. Material is removed as a function ofsolvation of the etch intermediate or byproduct. A limitation of wetetching is the wetting function of the chemical. Some etchants are twostep reactions such as oxidation of a material then solvation of theoxide.

Wet etches can also be used in combination with the dry etches as apreparatory step for surface cleaning or contaminate removal. An exampleis organic material removal prior to a reactive ion etch. Wet etches areisotropic or follow crystal lattices.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the structure to bepatterned is immersed in a tank of an etchant for a specific time. Thenthe structure is transferred to a rinse station for acid removal, andtransferred to a station for final rinse and a spin dry step.

Wet spray etching or vapor etching. In some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, wet spray etching or vapor etching is used for patterning.Wet spray etching offers several advantages over immersion etchingincluding the added definition gained from the mechanical pressure ofthe spray. In vapor etching, the wafer is exposed to etchant vapors suchas hydroflowic acid vapors.

Ion Beam Etching.

Another type of etcher that is used to perform the etching in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure is ion beam etching.Unlike chemical plasma systems, ion beam etching is a physical process.The structure to be etched is placed on a holder in a vacuum chamber anda stream of argon is introduced into the chamber. Upon entering thechamber, the argon is subjected to a stream of high-energy electronsfrom a set of cathode (−)-anode (+) electrodes. The electrons ionize theargon atoms to a high-energy state with a positive charge. The wafersare held on a negatively grounded holder that attracts the ionized argonatoms. As the argon atoms travel to the wafer holder they accelerate,picking up energy. At the wafer surface, they crash into the exposedwafer layer and blast small amounts from the wafer surface. No chemicalreaction takes place between the argon atoms and the wafer material. Thematerial removal (etching) is highly directional (anisotropic),resulting in good definition in small openings.

8.10.2 Dry Etching—Reactive-Ion Etching

Dry etching encompasses other methods outside the wet etch environment.Basic mechanics includes excitation of a chemical to an ionic state andthen reaction with the substrate and films. Material is removed eitherby physical/mechanical methods or chemical conversion and solvation intothe gas stream.

Sputter (Physical/Mechanical).

In sputter approaches, ions or elements are accelerated to a high energyand directed toward a surface. Surfaces are removed due to thecollisions of these highly charged ions, much like a nanoscalesandblasting method. Sputter etching is facilitated by charging the ionand then establishing a high bias towards to the substrate. Removal isline of sight from the target in the direction of the bias. Sputteretching is a method to achieve anisotropic etch profiles. Sputtering canalso be accomplished by directional ion bombardment by ‘ion guns’.Examples include focused ion beam (FIB) or other direct writeapproaches.

Chemical (Solvation—Liquid or Gas).

Chemical enhanced etching exploits generation of intermediate speciesthat can be solvated in the solution or vaporized in the low pressurechamber. Chemical etching is tuned to generate the solvated states dueto the chemicals included in the reaction mixture. For example, chlorineis used for most metals. A fluorine based chemical such ascarbontetrafluoride (CF₄) or sulfurfluoride (SF₆) is used for etchingsilicon or silicon oxide. Oxide etches with CF₄ or SF₆ follows the samereaction mechanism as the wet etch with HF acid.

Chemical etch is more isotropic in nature than the correspondingsputtering systems. A technique of alternating and combining the twomethods can sculpt complex side wall profiles. The present discloseencompasses the use of such methods to generate the specific nodes forfunctionality. An example is the ‘wine glass’ structure disclosed FIG. 7of related application No. 61/802,006, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein for its disclosure of suchstructures.

Plasma Etching.

Plasma generation is a method for ionization in the dry etch process.Plasmas can be tuned and controlled for the different gases used. Plasmacan be struck with one gas and maintained by another. Relative locationof the plasma can increase etch rate or impact resultant damage. Somesystems apply remote plasma generation sources while others control theconfinement and immersion in the plasma. Generally there is a dilutionor carrier gas that maintains the plasma and then a small volume ofreactive gas is introduced. Vacuum levels define the type of plasmaetching and complexity for control. Power of the generator is a controlfactor as well as the frequency.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, plasma etching isperformed using a plasma etcher. Physically, a plasma etcher comprises achamber, vacuum system, gas supply, and a power supply. The structure tobe etched is loaded into the chamber and the pressure inside is reducedby the vacuum system. After the vacuum is established, the chamber isfilled with the reactive gas. For the etching of silicon dioxide, forexample, the gas is usually CF₄ that is mixed with oxygen. A powersupply creates a radio frequency (RF) field through electrodes in thechamber. The field energizes the gas mixture to a plasma state. In theenergized state, the fluorine attacks the silicon dioxide, converting itinto volatile components that are removed from the system by the vacuumsystem.

Any of a wide variety of plasma etchers is used to perform etching, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Suchetchers include, but are not limited to, barrel etchers, plasma planarsystems, electron cyclotron resonance sources, high density reflectedelectron sources, helicon wave sources, inductively coupled plasmasources, and transformer coupled plasma sources.

In some embodiments, a reactive ion etcher system combines plasmaetching and ion beam etching principles. The systems are similar inconstruction to the plasma systems but have a capability of ion milling.The combination brings the benefits of chemical plasma etching alongwith the benefits of directional ion milling. See, e.g., Van Zant,Microchip Fabrication, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000, pp.256-270, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for moreinformation on etching techniques and etching equipment that can be usedin accordance with the present disclosure.

8.10.3 Characteristics of an Etch Process

The etch process generates an artifact or signature of the processingemployed. Knowledge of how to apply etching methods determines the finalprofile of the structure. Definitions for the following terms areprovided in order to convey an understanding of the etch processingcharacteristics.

Isotropic Etching.

Isotropic implies equal etching in all directions. The two referencesare vertical and horizontal directions. An isotropic etch ‘undercuts’the mask at a ratio to the vertical depth etched. Impact is that acircular opening of 1 micron when etched to a 0.5 micron depth wouldhave a bowl like shape that is 2 microns at the top of the bowl, 1micron at the bottom, with rounded side walls. An importantconsideration here is that if a conformal film were deposited over atopography/structure, an isotropic etch would remove the horizontalmaterial as well as the side wall/vertical material. There is noshadowing or off line of sight protection from an isotropic etch(excluding rate limiting or aspect ratio physical diffusivity barriers).This characteristic is used in cleans and sacrificial film removals. Onetrick is to use isotopic etching to consume the side walls, therebyreducing the critical dimension.

Etching.

Anisotropic etching is preferential etching in one direction over theother. Hence the term anisotropic: not isotropic. Ability to produceanisotropic etch chemistries allows for denser packing of devices.Anisotropy is limited by the bias and directionality of the toolutilized. The mask image is transferred into the substrate withfidelity: a 1 micron circular opening etched to 0.5 micron depth is 1micron by 0.5 micron feature in the substrate.

An application for the disclosed technology is considering the etchingof a conformal coating. If the deposited film is 0.25 microns over a 0.8micron step, an anisotropic etch removes the 0.25 microns on the surface(horizontal surface) but leaves the side wall (vertical surface)material. Thereby an anisotropic etch results in a new structure of thedeposited material where an isotropic etch would remove all material.Limitations on anisotropic etches are physical limitations that inhibitreactive species reaching the bottom surface of the etch location. Thesetopics are defined in ‘aspect ratio’, ‘poisoning’, ‘etch stops’ andother terms below.

8.10.4 Etching Definitions and Examples

Etch Rate

A function of the process recipe which quantifies how fast a material isremoved. Units are expressed in removed thickness per time, e.g.Angstroms per second. Etch rate includes lateral calculation as well asthe vertical component. Etch rate can be reduced by addition of diluentsor carrier gases that do no enhance the etch reaction. Etch rate ismodified to compensate for reaction chamber design where the etch ratein the center may be higher than on the outer edge. Etch rate issacrificed for uniformity and repeatability. High etch rates aredesirable for manufacturability. However, etch rate is only one part ofthe grand compromise for a final etch process.

Selectivity

A comparative etch rate ratio of the desired material to be etched andthe protective mask material (ratio of material etch rate over mask etchrate). A high selectivity is desired to maintain transfer of thelithography into the substrate. If the selectivity is low thedifferentiation between starting structure and final structure iscompromised due to loss of mask. Etch chemistries are adjusted toachieve the highest selectivity possible without compromising processtime for the material etch rate. High selectivity with an Angstrom perhour etch rate is not practical in typical embodiments.

Side Wall Slope

A desired etch profile could be a perfect transfer of the mask imageinto the substrate material with vertical sidewalls. The most commonetch artifact is an oblique angle slope where the top is wider than thebottom. This can be caused from various etch conditions. A primarymechanism for this is that the etch reaction is hindered by diffusivityof the etchant, by-product interference, loss of ionization states, orcompetitive nonproductive reactions. In the instant disclosure, bothvertical side wall, oblique and re-entry angled structures arecontemplated through the disclosed etching techniques.

Re-Entrant Side Wall

The opposite of the oblique angle side wall is the re-entrant side wallangle. Here the bottom is wider than the top masked surface. Thisprofile can be obtained by segmented etching with increasingly isotropicetch recipes. The isotropic undercuts by the lateral etch nature. Theresultant structure resembles the dove tail joint in wood working.Another method for reentrant side walls is the enhancement of the etchrate in the trench as a function of dopant materials.

Inhibitor Sidewall protection due to byproduct re-deposition. Anothercontrol method for side wall profile is due to the nature of the etchantreaction. The etch reaction may generate a by-product that is not highlyvolatile. These compounds redeposit on the side wall during thereaction. In an isotropic etch it stops the lateral etch at the top butdoes not hinder at the bottom area. Re-deposition is viewed as both apositive and negative aspect of the process. Such re-deposition isadvantageously used in the present disclosure.

Erosion.

A method to increase the oblique slope of a side wall during an etchprocess is to erode the masking material at the edges. This is usually afunction of heating the mask material during the etch process. This hasthe impact that the edge acuity of the resist is lost, resulting in thefeature size being gradually reduced with etch time. Resist erosionreduces the critical dimension at the top of the feature. Examples ofextreme erosion would produce teepee or pyramid like structures.

Etch Stop.

An etch stop material is a material that has a very low etch rate thatis built as a sandwich structure in a device. As the target material isetched the structure is defined. However when the etchant hits the etchstop material the maximum depth is reached. This is a method to controlthe depth of an etch material with high precision. Deposition sandwichcan be controlled uniformly across the substrate regardless of the etchreactor design or non uniformity. A second artifact is that the amountof over etch time can be extended and only the lateral etch willcontinue. Lateral etch results in re-entrant slopes or criticaldimension reduction.

Self Limiting or Poisoning.

An etch recipe can be designed in which there is a limitation of theetchant material. Then due to physical constraint such as aspect ratio,dilution, power or bias, the effective etch is restricted. Evidence ofthis artifact is in deep trench, 10 to 15 microns, where there istapering and closure. Regardless of the additional time provided theetch depth does not progress. Poisoning of the reaction has the sameresults but can be observed by additions to the gas stream that inhibitsconversion to the desired species, or a competitive reaction thatconsumes the reactive species in a nonproductive reaction.

Crystalline Specific (Lattice Orientation).

For mono crystalline or highly ordered lattice structures, etchants canbe used to highlight and accentuate the lattice structure. For example,iodine based wet etches are used for defect analysis due to differentetch rates on the crystal lattice. In some embodiments, crystallinespecific etches for special substrate enhancements and for specificdevices are used. In some embodiments, metallic etches can improve thesurface area for the graphene growth. Moreover, nucleation approachesmake use of faceting etch for graphene growth.

8.10.5 Secondary Etch Functions and Utilization

The following provides additional uses for the disclosed etchingprocesses that are used in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Cleaning.

Etch removal of contaminates accumulated during previous processingsteps can be performed. Examples of a standard etch clean process suchas the RCA Clean is 1) application of distilled water, 2) application ofbuffered ammonium hydroxide, 3) application of dilute HF for ancientoxide, and 4) application of HCl for metallic clean. Clean procedurescan also be plasma based prior to a deposition process. A clean processis removing the unwanted films prior to the following step. Cleans canbe before etch steps (remove inhibitors), deposition and lithography.

Polish.

A light etch step to change the profile slightly or remove unwantedresiduals. For segmented film deposition a slight polish removesundesired side wall material and fine tunes by reduction of material thefinal film thickness.

Structure Definition.

Previous discussion highlighted the side wall slope as nominal/vertical,oblique, or reentrant angled. Functional nodes can be sculpted in theprofile by tuning the etch process. A simple example is the wine glassstructure which was designed for metal flow into contact views. As thestructures became more complex such as for plasmonics, nodes are definedby crevices or protrusion. Full structures such as a rib or ribbon canbe generated by an anisotropic etch of a conformally deposited film.These concepts are captured in our portfolio as related to side walls,segmented film deposition, or fine structure lithography to name a few.

Deep Trench and Isolation of Structures.

State of the art technologies have advanced to do deep trench etcheswith aspect ratios of 20:1 to greater. One of the benefits of trenchformation is the ability to isolate structures on the same substrate.The isolation can be by air or a back fill material (dielectric oroxides. The etch process defines the isolation and the resultantcritical dimension of the rib or pillar. Polarity is important becausethe device functionality can be buried in the bottom of the trench andthe wall portions can act as thermal radiators, wave guides, orparticulate traps.

Aspect Ratios.

Aspect ratio is defined by the height of the structure over the width.In the etch process this impacts the diffusivity of the etchant in anarrow trench (10:1) which will slow the etchant reaction. A secondaryconcern is the physical stability of a tall feature on a narrow base.Such features are impacted by the microfluidic forces of subsequentprocessing resulting in toppling or cleavage of the structure.

Side Wall Deposition.

Depending on the application and process engineering this can be abenefit or a detriment. Majority of re-deposition material during anetch process is difficult to remove with later steps (especially metalhalides) which is a detriment. The rate of re-deposition can impact theprofile of the structure. A benefit of re-deposition is an organicre-deposition or interaction with the photo resist that maintains theresist mask and image fidelity. This re-deposition is a correctiveaction for undesired resist erosion. Another example of re-depositionbeing beneficial is when the byproduct material can be formed for adevice functionality or structure.

Etch Passivation.

Slight differentiation, or subset of side wall re-deposition. During anetch step and oxidizing ambient may be used as the etchant chemistry. Ifthere are other layers exposed such as metals (aluminum) a thin oxidewill be formed which passivates the secondary surface. Other etchbyproducts passivates other materials.

8.10.6 Tool Types

The present disclosure encompasses the use of a wide variety of etchtool configurations. Manufactures of such tools include, but are notlimited to, Applied materials, Lam Research, Tegal, Hitachi, Oxford,Plasma Therm, and Branson to name a few. Each company has improvementsor enhancements over the competitors. The following list highlights someof the designs and types of reactors on the market: barrel etchers,parallel plate, downstream etchers, ICP, TCP, sinks, spray dispense,oxidation, EBEAM oxidation, and direct write systems. For wet etch (wetsinks) there are numbers of designs for recirculation, purity,automation of multiple baths and inclusion of spin rinse dryers. Notealso in the literature some tools are refined to the substrate ormaterial designed to be etched: metal etchers, oxide etchers, etc.

8.11 Residual Layer Removal

The result of the etching process described above is the formation ofgrooves. Next, the residual layer is removed in a process known asresist stripping in order to yield the patterned structure. In someembodiments, the resist is stripped off with a strong acid such as H₂SO₄or an acid oxidant combination, such as H₂SO₄—Cr₂O₃, attacking theresist but not the groove to yield the fully patterned structure. Otherliquid strippers include organic solvent strippers (e.g., phenolicorganic strippers and solventlamine strippers) and alkaline strippers(with or without oxidants). In some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a dry plasma process is applied to remove a resist. In suchembodiments, the device is placed in a chamber and oxygen is introduced.The plasma field energizes the oxygen to a high energy state, which, inturn, oxidizes the resist components to gases that are removed from thechamber by the vacuum pump. In dry strippers, the plasma is generated bymicrowave, radio frequency, or ultraviolet-ozone sources. Moreinformation on photolithographic processes that can be used to patterndevices is found in Madou, Fundamentals of Microfabrication, SecondEdition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 2002, pp. 2-65; Van Zant,Microchip Fabrication, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000; Wolfand Tauber, Silicon Processing for the VLSI Era, Second Edition, LatticePress, Sunset Beach, California, 2002; and SZE and Ng, Physics ofSemiconductor Devices, Third Edition, Wiley-Interscience, 2007, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.Such methods include the use of a positive photoresist rather than anegative photoresist as well as extreme ultraviolet lithography, x-raylithography, charged-particle-beam lithography, scanning probelithography, soft lithography, and three-dimensional lithographicmethods.

9. REFERENCES CITED

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent or patent application was specificallyand individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

Many modifications and variations of this disclosure can be made withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein areoffered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited onlyby the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A graphite-based device, comprising: a substratecomprising a plurality of zones; a plurality of graphene stacks, whereina first graphene stack in the plurality of graphene stacks is formed ina first zone in the plurality of zones and comprises a non-planargraphene layer having a first portion and a second portion, wherein thefirst portion and the second portion collectively define a first bendingangle; and a feature formed in the first zone, wherein the featurecomprises a first surface facing in a first direction and an adjacentsecond surface facing in a second direction, the first direction isother than the second direction, the first portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the first surface of the feature, and the secondportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the second surface ofthe feature.
 2. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the firstportion overlays a portion of the first surface of the feature, or thesecond portion overlays a portion of the second surface.
 3. Thegraphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the first portion overlays theentire first surface, or the second portion overlays the entire secondsurface.
 4. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the firstsurface is either planar or non-planar, and the second surface is eitherplanar or non-planar.
 5. The graphite-based device of claim 1, whereinthe feature comprises an element, a recess or a combination thereofhaving one or more side walls.
 6. The graphite-based device of claim 5,wherein a side wall in the one or more side walls comprises: a firstdimension that is between 3 nm and 10 μm, and a second dimension,orthogonal to the first dimension, that is between 2 nm and 100 nm. 7.The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises arecess having one or more side walls, and a side wall in the one or moreside walls has a height that is between 0.1 nm and 3 nm and a width thatis between 2 nm and 100 nm.
 8. The graphite-based device of claim 1,wherein the feature comprises a hole, a trench, a pillar, a pyramid, ora rib.
 9. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the firstbending angle is an acute angle, substantially a right angle, an obtuseangle, or a reflex angle.
 10. The graphite-based device of claim 1,wherein the first surface is a top surface of the feature, the adjacentsecond surface is a side wall of the feature, the first portion overlaysthe top surface, the second portion overlays the side wall, the firstbending angle is over 180 degrees, and a first stress intersection isformed between the first portion and the second portion.
 11. Thegraphite-based device of claim 10, wherein the side wall issubstantially perpendicular to the top surface, producing the firstgraphene layer with the first bending angle that is about 270 degrees.12. The graphite-based device of claim 10, wherein the side wall isundercut, producing the first graphene layer with the first bendingangle that is over 270 degrees.
 13. The graphite-based device of claim1, wherein the first surface is a first side wall of the feature, thesecond surface is a second side wall of the feature, the first portionof the non-planar graphene layer overlays the first side wall, and thesecond portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the second sidewall.
 14. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the firstsurface is a bottom surface of the feature, the second surface is a sidewall of the feature, the first portion of the non-planar graphene layeroverlays the bottom surface, the second portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the side wall, the first bending angle is lessthan 180 degrees, a first compression intersection is formed between thefirst portion and the second portion of the non-planar graphene layer.15. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the feature furthercomprises a third surface that is adjacent to the first surface, whereinthe first and third surfaces are not on a common plane, the non-planargraphene layer has a third portion overlaying the third surface, and thefirst portion and the third portion form a second bending angle.
 16. Thegraphite-based device of claim 15, wherein the third surface is eitherplanar or non-planar.
 17. The graphite-based device of claim 15, whereinthe third portion overlays a portion of the third surface.
 18. Thegraphite-based device of claim 15, wherein the third portion overlaysthe entire third surface.
 19. The graphite-based device of claim 15,wherein the second bending angle is an acute angle, substantially aright angle, an obtuse angle, or a reflex angle.
 20. The graphite-baseddevice of claim 15, wherein the first surface is a top surface of thefeature, the second surface is a first side wall of the feature, thethird surface is a second side wall of the feature, the first portion ofthe non-planar graphene layer overlays the top surface, the secondportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the first side wall,and the third portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays thesecond side wall.
 21. The graphite-based device of claim 19, wherein oneof the second or third portions of the first non-planar graphene layeris in electric communication with a lead.
 22. The graphite-based deviceof claim 19, wherein one of the second or third portions of the firstnon-planar graphene layer is in electric communication with a lead andthe other is electrically insulated.
 23. The graphite-based device ofclaim 15, wherein the first surface is a first side wall of the feature,the second surface is a top surface of the feature, the third surface isa second side wall of the feature that is not on a common plane with thefirst side wall of the feature, the first portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the first side wall, the second portion of thenon-planar graphene layer overlays the top surface, and the thirdportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the second side wall.24. The graphite-based device of claim 15, wherein the second side wallis undercut.
 25. The graphite-based device of claim 15, wherein thefirst surface is a first side wall of the feature, the second surface isa second side wall of the feature, the third surface is a third sidewall of the feature, the first portion of the non-planar graphene layeroverlays the first side wall, the second portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the second side wall, and the third portion ofthe non-planar graphene layer overlays the third side wall.
 26. Thegraphite-based device of claim 15, wherein the first surface is a bottomsurface of the feature, the second surface is a first side wall of thefeature, the third surface is a second side wall of the feature, thefirst portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the bottomsurface, the second portion of the non-planar graphene layer overlaysthe first side wall, and the third portion of the non-planar graphenelayer overlays the second side wall.
 27. The graphite-based device ofclaim 15, wherein the first surface is a side wall of the feature, thesecond surface is a bottom surface of the feature, the third surface isa top surface of the feature, the first portion of the non-planargraphene layer overlays the side wall, the second portion of thenon-planar graphene layer overlays the bottom surface, and the thirdportion of the non-planar graphene layer overlays the top surface,wherein the first non-planar graphene layer is bent and notched in thefeature.
 28. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein thenon-planar graphene layer further comprises a curved portion thatcomprises (i) a concave shape with a negative curvature or (ii) a convexshape with a positive curvature.
 29. The graphite-based device of claim1, wherein the first bending angle is between 0.5 degrees and 230degrees.
 30. The graphite-based device of claim 1, wherein the firstgraphene stack in the first zone comprises one or more additionalgraphene layers overlaying the non-planar graphene layer, wherein saidone or more additional graphene layers are either planar or non-planar.